Violent crime figures rise across Littlehampton

Overall, recorded crime fell by 11 per cent to 3,048 in the 12 months up to the end of April, compared with 3,431 in the same period in 2012/13.

However, cases of violent crime rose by eight per cent to 807, against 745 in 2012/13, according to figures to be presented to councillors on the Joint Downland Area Committee on Monday.

The largest increase in violence was in the Wick with Toddington ward, where incidents almost doubled, from 40 to 78. There were 12 more violent crimes reported in Littlehampton’s Beach ward, taking the total to 64, 20 more in the town’s Ham ward, up to 150, an increase of 17, to 233, in Littlehampton River ward and two more in Littlehampton Brookfield, totalling 64.

Angmering also suffered an increase in violence, with 69 cases reported, five more than in 2012/13.

River and Wick with Toddington were the only wards where overall crime rose. In River, which includes Littlehampton town centre, 59 more offences were reported, making a total of 870, the highest in the area. Wick with Toddington’s tally of 234 increased by three.

Ham ward, with the second worst crime record in the town, had 44 fewer crimes, falling to 514.

Vehicle crime across Littlehampton and the villages fell by more than a third, from 357 to 225.