Worthing Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

February 2025 marked an unexpected shift in Worthing's crime profile, with shoplifting emerging as the most startling anomaly. At 1.7 per 1,000 residents, this figure—174% above the UK average—dominated the local crime profile, overshadowing more typical patterns. The overall crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents placed the area 6.0% above the UK average, a position that, while not extreme, highlights persistent challenges in maintaining public safety. Violence and sexual offences (242 cases) and anti-social behaviour (94 cases) formed the core of the local crime picture, reflecting the social dynamics of a coastal town with significant commercial and residential zones. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting, which accounted for 24.4% of all reported crimes, diverged sharply from national trends. This spike may be partly explained by the town's retail infrastructure, which includes major shopping centres that draw both local residents and tourists. The winter season, with its lower outdoor activity and pre-spring lull, may have contributed to a shift in criminal behaviour, with opportunistic thefts becoming more prevalent. While violent crime remained relatively stable, the stark contrast between shoplifting rates and UK averages suggests a need for targeted interventions in retail areas. The seasonal context of February—marked by colder weather and shorter daylight hours—may have further influenced crime patterns.

February saw a 66.7% increase in theft from the person, rising from 3 to 5 incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, may partly reflect seasonal factors as winter lulls give way to increased public movement. Meanwhile, burglary rose by 38.5% (13 to 18), a shift that contrasts with the overall downward trend in property crime. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 27%, reaching 94 incidents, suggesting heightened tensions in public spaces. Shoplifting remained 174% above the UK average, with 197 cases reported. This stark deviation from national trends may be linked to Worthing's retail landscape, where high streets and shopping centres draw both residents and visitors. Conversely, robbery fell by 60% (5 to 2), and possession of weapons dropped by 33.3%, indicating potential success in targeted policing efforts. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and national crime patterns.

Worthing's crime rate in February 2025 fell by 2.6% compared to January's 7.3 per 1,000, settling at 7.1 per 1,000. This slight decline aligns with typical winter patterns, when outdoor activity and foot traffic in retail zones drop. On a daily basis, the area recorded 29 crimes per day in February, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 141 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Worthing's population at a moderate risk level compared to other areas. With 113,866 residents, the absolute number of crimes (806) reflects both the scale of the population and the specific dynamics of the local environment, which includes a mix of residential, commercial, and coastal zones. This rate does not necessarily indicate a worsening or improving trend but rather a fluctuation within the normal range of crime activity for this time of year.