Worthing Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Worthing's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 8.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.2% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. While the overall rate is marginally higher than the national figure, the data reveals several areas of improvement. Theft from the person fell by 33.3% compared to the previous month, a decline that may partly explain the reduction in violent crime, which accounted for 30.1% of all incidents. This category, at 2.5 per 1,000, is 6% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, suggesting local policing or community initiatives could be contributing to this trend. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping the crime picture: with clocks going back and Halloween approaching, darker evenings may have influenced patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the most significant shift came in property crime, where shoplifting alone accounted for 21.2% of all reported incidents—150% above the UK average. This stark divergence from national trends is consistent with Worthing's retail presence, particularly along the seafront and high streets, where foot traffic and seasonal shopping may have created opportunities for theft. The data also highlights a notable decrease in drugs-related incidents, which fell by 19.4% month-on-month, though this remains 23% below the UK average. These figures illustrate the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and policing efforts in shaping crime patterns.

October 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 238.5% compared to the previous month, rising from 13 to 44 incidents. This sharp increase may be linked to the start of the winter season, when vehicle theft and vandalism are more common in colder weather. Bicycle theft also rose by 55.6%, from 9 to 14 cases, potentially reflecting increased cycling during the darker evenings of October. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 33.3%, from 6 to 4 incidents—a reduction that could be attributed to heightened awareness around Halloween or targeted police patrols in high-risk areas. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: shoplifting remains 150% above the national rate, underscoring the need for continued focus on retail security measures. In contrast, anti-social behaviour is 22% below the UK average, due to effective community engagement or environmental design in public spaces. For residents, the most immediate concern may be the 150% spike in shoplifting, which highlights the importance of CCTV coverage and staff training in local businesses. These figures illustrate how specific crime trends can diverge sharply from national patterns, depending on local factors such as retail density and policing priorities.

Worthing's crime rate in October 2024 rose by 10.5% compared to the previous month, increasing from 7.5 to 8.2 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend suggests that month-on-month variations can be significant, even within a single area. On a daily basis, the local figure of 30 crimes per day provides a concrete measure of the pace at which incidents occur in Worthing, though this should be contextualised against the broader population of 113,866 residents. Over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for every 121 residents—a monthly aggregate that highlights the frequency of incidents in proportion to the local population. While this figure is slightly higher than the UK average, the comparison must be approached with caution, as national statistics do not provide a daily or monthly exposure equivalent for Worthing. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that certain crime types, such as burglary, are 39% below the UK average, indicating that Worthing may have a lower prevalence of residential crime compared to other areas. However, the 150% disparity in shoplifting rates underscores the need for targeted interventions in retail zones. These comparisons illustrate how Worthing's crime profile, while broadly aligned with national trends, has distinct characteristics shaped by local demographics and geography.