Crime in Worthing: statistics, rates and trends

11,373 crimes were recorded in Worthing in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 3,492 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Worthing has the 355th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Worthing was highest in the year to July 2023 (11,490 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (10,298). 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Worthing 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 robbery (+84%) and anti-social behaviour (+47%). The largest falls were in drugs (-14%) and theft from the person (-13%).

Violence and sexual offences in Worthing

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Worthing recorded 3,492 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 30.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Worthing

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Worthing recorded 2,282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Worthing

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Worthing recorded 1,779 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 15.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Worthing

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Worthing recorded 980 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Worthing

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Worthing recorded 786 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Worthing

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Worthing recorded 497 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Worthing

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Worthing recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Worthing

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Worthing recorded 291 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Worthing

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Worthing recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Worthing

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Worthing recorded 209 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Worthing

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Worthing recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Worthing

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Worthing recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Worthing

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Worthing recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 84% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Worthing

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Worthing recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Worthing, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (278.8 per 1,000) and Goring the lowest (50.6). 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 Worthing over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Worthing 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.

Worthing has an estimated population of 113,866. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Worthing sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. 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 Worthing. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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