Worthing Crime Rate March 2025 | Monthly Statistics

March 2025 marked a noticeable shift in Worthing's crime profile, with the overall crime rate rising to 8.2 per 1,000 residents — 5.1% above the UK average of 7.8. This coastal town's crime picture reflects a seasonal transition, as lengthening evenings and clock changes may have influenced patterns. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 30.7% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (16.7%) and anti-social behaviour (14.9%). While shoplifting rates declined by 20.8% compared to February, this was offset by sharp increases in public order offences and bicycle theft. The UK average for shoplifting is 0.7 per 1,000, yet Worthing's rate stands at 1.4 per 1,000 — 106% higher — a disparity likely linked to the town's retail presence along its coastal high streets. Anti-social behaviour, though slightly below the UK average, may reflect the social dynamics of a commuter town where transient populations interact with local communities. The seasonal context of March — a period of transition to spring — may also contribute to increased public order incidents, as more people spend time outdoors. This data illustrates how Worthing's crime profile balances the pressures of a coastal resort with the characteristics of a commuter hub, where seasonal rhythms and local geography intersect to shape crime trends.

March 2025 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with robbery rates surging by 250% (from 2 to 7 incidents) — a figure that would be of immediate concern to local residents. This spike, combined with an 82.6% increase in public order offences (46 to 84), highlights a significant shift in the town's crime mix. While shoplifting rates fell by 20.8% (197 to 156), this decline was not enough to counterbalance the upward trends elsewhere. Bicycle theft, which rose by 77.8% (9 to 16), may reflect the growing number of cyclists utilising the town's expanding cycle paths. Worthing's shoplifting rate remains 106% above the UK average, a disparity that likely stems from the town's high street retail density. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 5.6% (18 to 17), aligning with the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 — a rare category where Worthing performs slightly better. The violence and sexual offences category, though remaining the largest single category, is 8% below the UK average, suggesting that local policing efforts or community initiatives may be having a measurable impact. These findings underscore the combination of seasonal factors, local geography, and targeted crime prevention strategies in shaping Worthing's monthly crime statistics.

Worthing's crime rate in March 2025 rose to 8.2 per 1,000 residents, a 16.1% increase from February's 7.1 per 1,000. This upward trajectory places the town 5.1% above the UK average, a margin that, while modest, indicates a divergence from national trends. On a daily basis, the town experienced an average of 30 crimes per day — a figure that, while not extreme, is enough to concern local residents. Over the course of March, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 122 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the town's population of 113,866, highlights the need for ongoing vigilance. This rate is higher than the UK average, which typically sees fewer than one crime per 130 residents monthly. The population context is critical here: with 114,000 residents, the town's relatively high crime rate suggests that local factors — such as its status as a coastal commuter hub and a retail destination — may be amplifying certain crime types. While the overall rate is elevated, the breakdown reveals both strengths and weaknesses. The UK average for shoplifting is 0.7 per 1,000, yet Worthing's rate is double that, a discrepancy that may reflect the town's unique retail dynamics. However, categories like burglary and drugs-related offences perform better than the UK average, suggesting that some local initiatives may be effective. These comparisons illustrate the nuanced picture of Worthing's crime profile, where national trends and local specifics intersect to shape the monthly statistics.