Crime in Littlehampton: statistics, rates and trends

2,276 crimes were recorded in Littlehampton in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 758 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Littlehampton has the 172nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Littlehampton was highest in the year to July 2025 (2,493 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (2,170). Over the whole period it fell 0%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Littlehampton 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in drugs (+39%) and robbery (+32%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-41%) and shoplifting (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Littlehampton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Littlehampton recorded 758 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 33.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Littlehampton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Littlehampton recorded 474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 20.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Littlehampton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Littlehampton recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Littlehampton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Littlehampton recorded 170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Littlehampton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Littlehampton recorded 159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Littlehampton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Littlehampton recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Littlehampton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Littlehampton recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Littlehampton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Littlehampton recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Littlehampton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Littlehampton recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Littlehampton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Littlehampton recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Littlehampton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Littlehampton recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Littlehampton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Littlehampton recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Littlehampton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Littlehampton recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Littlehampton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Littlehampton recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Littlehampton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Littlehampton.

3 areas within Littlehampton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. River had the highest rate (191.7 per 1,000) and Brookfield the lowest (53.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Littlehampton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Littlehampton 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.

Littlehampton has an estimated population of 18,642. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Littlehampton sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Littlehampton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.