Crime in East Wittering: statistics, rates and trends
356 crimes were recorded in East Wittering in the 12 months to July 2026, 50.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 18% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in East Wittering at a glance
- Crime trends in East Wittering
- Types of crime in East Wittering
- East Wittering compared with nearby towns
- Areas within East Wittering
- Streets with the most crime in East Wittering
- What happened after crimes were reported in East Wittering
- Population and deprivation in East Wittering
- Questions about crime in East Wittering
- About this data
356 crimes were recorded in East Wittering in the 12 months to July 2026, 50.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 18% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 122 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, East Wittering has the 1,144th highest crime rate.
| Measure | East Wittering | Chichester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 356 | 10,241 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 50.8 | 79.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -18% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 7,012 | 128,934 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in East Wittering was highest in the year to July 2025 (433 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (280). Over the whole period it rose 10%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 356 | 50.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 433 | 61.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 280 | 39.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 336 | 47.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 346 | 49.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 430 | 61.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 400 | 57.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 297 | 42.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 325 | 46.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 39 |
| June 2026 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 26 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 32 |
| February 2026 | 24 |
| January 2026 | 24 |
| December 2025 | 19 |
| November 2025 | 26 |
| October 2025 | 23 |
| September 2025 | 30 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in East Wittering over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+32%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-68%) and criminal damage and arson (-45%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 122 | 17.4 | 0.51 | -15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 106 | 15.1 | 0.99 | +32% |
| Public order | 30 | 4.3 | 0.64 | -19% |
| Other theft | 22 | 3.1 | 0.49 | -8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 21 | 3.0 | 0.44 | -45% |
| Shoplifting | 19 | 2.7 | 0.33 | -68% |
| Other crime | 15 | 2.1 | 1.01 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 9 | 1.3 | 0.26 | +12% |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.0 | 0.31 | -12% |
| Burglary | 2 | 0.3 | 0.08 | -85% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 0.29 | -50% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.17 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in East Wittering
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. East Wittering recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in East Wittering
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. East Wittering recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 29.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in East Wittering
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. East Wittering recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in East Wittering
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. East Wittering recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in East Wittering
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. East Wittering recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in East Wittering
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. East Wittering recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 68% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in East Wittering
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. East Wittering recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in East Wittering
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. East Wittering recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in East Wittering
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. East Wittering recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in East Wittering
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. East Wittering recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 85% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in East Wittering
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. East Wittering recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in East Wittering
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. East Wittering recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to East Wittering, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to East Wittering.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs East Wittering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selsey | 774 | 70.5 | +39% |
| South Hayling | 1,137 | 70.1 | +38% |
| Chichester | 5,403 | 155.7 | +207% |
| Emsworth | 670 | 53.9 | +6% |
| Bognor Regis | 7,017 | 101.9 | +101% |
| Havant | 5,747 | 116.1 | +129% |
| Portsmouth | 27,419 | 119.3 | +135% |
| Barnham (Arun) | 564 | 61.1 | +20% |
1 areas within East Wittering, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. The Witterings had the highest rate (51.5 per 1,000) and The Witterings the lowest (51.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Witterings | Neighbourhood | 10,305 | 531 | 51.5 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in East Wittering over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Hale Close | 23 |
| On or near Parking Area | 22 |
| On or near Hazel Close | 19 |
| On or near Middleton Close | 15 |
| On or near Stubcroft Lane | 15 |
| On or near Second Avenue | 13 |
| On or near Supermarket | 13 |
| On or near Charterhouse Mews | 11 |
| On or near Nagels Close | 11 |
| On or near Avebury Close | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in East Wittering over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 108 | 30.3% |
| Not recorded | 106 | 29.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 97 | 27.2% |
| Under investigation | 21 | 5.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 2.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.6% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
East Wittering has an estimated population of 7,012. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in East Wittering sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | East Wittering |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 51.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 33.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.0% |
| Social rented homes | 10.8% |
| Private rented homes | 17.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is East Wittering a safe place to live?
East Wittering recorded 50.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in East Wittering?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (106).
Is crime in East Wittering going up or down?
Recorded crime in East Wittering was down 18% on the year before: 356 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 433 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers East Wittering?
East Wittering is policed by Sussex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to East Wittering. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.