Crime in Shoreham-by-Sea: statistics, rates and trends
1,645 crimes were recorded in Shoreham-by-Sea in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Shoreham-by-Sea at a glance
- Crime trends in Shoreham-by-Sea
- Types of crime in Shoreham-by-Sea
- Shoreham-by-Sea compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Shoreham-by-Sea
- Streets with the most crime in Shoreham-by-Sea
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shoreham-by-Sea
- Population and deprivation in Shoreham-by-Sea
- Questions about crime in Shoreham-by-Sea
- About this data
1,645 crimes were recorded in Shoreham-by-Sea in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 468 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Shoreham-by-Sea has the 807th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Shoreham-by-Sea | Adur | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,645 | 4,479 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 69.2 | 69.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 23,765 | 64,889 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Shoreham-by-Sea was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,131 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,495). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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 | 1,645 | 69.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,719 | 72.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,949 | 82.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,063 | 86.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,131 | 89.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,004 | 84.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,730 | 72.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,495 | 62.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,635 | 68.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 192 |
| June 2026 | 143 |
| May 2026 | 133 |
| April 2026 | 137 |
| March 2026 | 129 |
| February 2026 | 120 |
| January 2026 | 126 |
| December 2025 | 103 |
| November 2025 | 136 |
| October 2025 | 150 |
| September 2025 | 138 |
| August 2025 | 138 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shoreham-by-Sea 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 shoplifting.
The largest increases were in other theft (+24%) and anti-social behaviour (+23%). The largest falls were in other crime (-42%) and vehicle crime (-34%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 468 | 19.7 | 0.58 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 411 | 17.3 | 1.13 | +23% |
| Shoplifting | 266 | 11.2 | 1.35 | -17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 141 | 5.9 | 0.87 | +8% |
| Public order | 114 | 4.8 | 0.72 | -17% |
| Other theft | 94 | 4.0 | 0.62 | +24% |
| Vehicle crime | 40 | 1.7 | 0.34 | -34% |
| Burglary | 32 | 1.3 | 0.38 | -32% |
| Drugs | 25 | 1.1 | 0.32 | -26% |
| Other crime | 23 | 1.0 | 0.46 | -42% |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.5 | 0.40 | +86% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 0.4 | 0.39 | -31% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.3 | 0.36 | -56% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -60% |
Violence and sexual offences in Shoreham-by-Sea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 468 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 28.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Shoreham-by-Sea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 411 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 25.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 266 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 16.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Shoreham-by-Sea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Shoreham-by-Sea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Shoreham-by-Sea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Shoreham-by-Sea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Shoreham-by-Sea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Shoreham-by-Sea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Shoreham-by-Sea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Shoreham-by-Sea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 86% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Shoreham-by-Sea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Shoreham-by-Sea
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Shoreham-by-Sea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 2 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 60% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Shoreham-by-Sea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shoreham-by-Sea.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shoreham-by-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwick (Adur) | 954 | 76.5 | +10% |
| Lancing and Sompting | 1,880 | 65.6 | -5% |
| Brighton and Hove | 34,620 | 123.3 | +78% |
| Worthing | 11,373 | 99.9 | +44% |
| Henfield | 323 | 54.7 | -21% |
| Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint | 922 | 61.8 | -11% |
| Rustington | 1,980 | 55.9 | -19% |
| Storrington | 309 | 46.6 | -33% |
5 areas within Shoreham-by-Sea, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Mary's had the highest rate (166.7 per 1,000) and Buckingham the lowest (20.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's | Neighbourhood | 5,220 | 870 | 166.7 |
| Southlands | Neighbourhood | 4,337 | 264 | 60.9 |
| Marine | Neighbourhood | 4,614 | 198 | 42.9 |
| St Nicolas | Neighbourhood | 4,223 | 149 | 35.3 |
| Buckingham | Neighbourhood | 4,011 | 81 | 20.2 |
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 Shoreham-by-Sea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Police Station | 190 |
| On or near Supermarket | 175 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 59 |
| On or near Humphrey'S Gap | 51 |
| On or near Parking Area | 44 |
| On or near Eastern Close | 42 |
| On or near Ham Road | 40 |
| On or near Brighton Road | 31 |
| On or near Wilmot Road | 29 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 27 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shoreham-by-Sea 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 704 | 42.8% |
| Not recorded | 411 | 25.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 333 | 20.2% |
| Under investigation | 76 | 4.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 34 | 2.1% |
| Local resolution | 34 | 2.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 24 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Shoreham-by-Sea has an estimated population of 23,765. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shoreham-by-Sea sits in decile 7.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Shoreham-by-Sea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.6% |
| Social rented homes | 11.8% |
| Private rented homes | 15.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.4 |
Is Shoreham-by-Sea a safe place to live?
Shoreham-by-Sea recorded 69.2 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 Shoreham-by-Sea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 468 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (411).
Is crime in Shoreham-by-Sea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shoreham-by-Sea was down 4% on the year before: 1,645 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,719 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Shoreham-by-Sea?
Shoreham-by-Sea 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 Shoreham-by-Sea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.