Crime in Rustington: statistics, rates and trends

1,980 crimes were recorded in Rustington in the 12 months to July 2026, 55.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 572 reports (29% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Rustington has the 1,044th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rustington was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,980 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,647). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 Rustington 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 shoplifting (+73%) and anti-social behaviour (+24%). The largest falls were in other crime (-44%) and burglary (-42%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rustington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rustington recorded 572 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 28.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rustington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rustington recorded 457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rustington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rustington recorded 306 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 15.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rustington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rustington recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rustington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rustington recorded 143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rustington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rustington recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rustington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rustington recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rustington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rustington recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rustington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rustington recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rustington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rustington recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 580% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rustington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rustington recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rustington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rustington recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rustington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rustington recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rustington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rustington recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Rustington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rustington East had the highest rate (110.9 per 1,000) and East Preston the lowest (24.4). 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 Rustington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rustington 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.

Rustington has an estimated population of 35,425. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rustington sits in decile 7.3, less 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 Rustington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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