Worthing Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Worthing's crime profile in May 2024 reveals a combination of persistent and emerging crime patterns. The overall crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 1.2% above the UK average, a narrow margin that suggests a broadly average level of criminal activity for a coastal town. The most striking feature of the crime mix is the dominance of violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.2% of all reported incidents. This is consistent with a town experiencing both regular social interactions and seasonal pressures, such as longer evenings and increased outdoor drinking. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 19.1%, likely driven by the same factors that elevate violence rates. Shoplifting. of total crimes, remains 72% above the UK average, pointing to specific vulnerabilities in retail environments. The seasonal context of May—bank holidays, extended daylight hours, and the start of summer—likely contributes to these patterns, as outdoor socialising and tourism activity peak. While property crimes (314) slightly outnumber violent crimes (330), the balance is tightly contested, reflecting a town where both personal safety and community disorder are ongoing concerns. The relatively low rates of burglary (2.0%) and vehicle crime (2.3%) suggest that traditional property crimes are not the primary focus for local police, with efforts perhaps more directed toward addressing public order and personal safety issues. This crime mix illustrates a town navigating the dual pressures of a vibrant social scene and the challenges of maintaining public order in a coastal environment.

May 2024 saw a 150% increase in bicycle theft, with incidents rising from four to ten. This sharp rise, coupled with a 40% increase in robbery, signals shifting patterns in personal property crime. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by nearly 50%, from 253 to 130, a decrease that may reflect seasonal changes in retail activity. Violence and sexual offences remain the most prevalent category, accounting for 34.2% of all crimes, a rate 2% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also rose significantly, 10% above the national average, potentially linked to the extended evenings and increased socialising typical of May. The 72% gap between shoplifting rates in Worthing and the UK average underscores the area's unique challenges, tied to its retail hubs and tourist attractions. Residents may find the 31 daily crime figure a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels.

Worthing's crime rate in May 2024 fell by 6.9% compared to April, marking a notable downward trend. The previous month's rate of 9.1 per 1,000 residents dropped to 8.5 per 1,000, reflecting a shift in local crime dynamics. Over the course of May, 31 crimes were reported daily on average, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents for residents. This equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 118 residents across the month, a metric that provides a tangible sense of monthly exposure. With a population of 113,866, the rate remains within a range consistent with coastal towns experiencing seasonal fluctuations. The reduction in vehicle crime (-35.3%) and shoplifting (-48.6%) suggests potential improvements in local policing strategies or environmental factors. However, the increase in bicycle theft (+150%) may indicate a growing vulnerability in certain areas, possibly linked to increased cycling during longer evenings.