A seaside town on the south coast of England has been named “Britain’s shoplifting capital” after a new study revealed it has the highest rate of retail theft in the country.
Worthing, in West Sussex, recorded 23.2 shoplifting incidents per 1,000 residents, putting it at the top of the list ahead of cities such as Lincoln, Mansfield and Nottingham.
The study, conducted by Accu Components, analysed crime data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), and the Scottish government, highlighting a surprising trend that smaller towns rather than big cities are experiencing the highest rates of theft.
The findings showed that Lincoln (21.5 per 1,000), Mansfield (20.9 per 1,000), Hartlepool (20.4 per 1,000), and Nottingham (17 per 1,000) rounded out the top five worst-hit areas.
Meanwhile, London, despite its size, ranked 75th with just 6.9 incidents per 1,000 people.
The experts said: “While the capital undoubtedly sees high volumes of shoplifting, its low per capita rate suggests that crime is more spread out and better controlled than in smaller towns.”
At the other end of the scale, Hinckley in Leicestershire had the lowest shoplifting rate, with just 3.8 incidents per 1,000 people.
Worthing is one of the biggest seaside towns on the South Coast, located 11 miles west of Brighton and 18 miles east of Chichester.
It has a population of over 113,000 and is known for its beaches, attractions, and a growing reputation as a shopping destination.
Despite its ranking in the study, many people still see Worthing as a great place to visit.
Visit South West England describes the small seaside town as “a lively destination for shopping, eating, entertainment, and family fun by the sea.”
The website adds that Worthing has award-winning beaches, cultural sites like the Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, and popular outdoor attractions such as Cissbury Ring and Highdown Gardens.
Many visitors have also shared positive reviews of the town on TripAdvisor.
One person wrote: “We have been going to Worthing five years running, what a beautiful place to go when the weather is nice.
“So much to do and see – beach on one side, town on the other. We love our summer holidays here and can’t wait for the summer. Nice walking and cycling paths too!”
Another added: “Love to walk here with the dog all year round. In the summer, on a hot day, it is fantastic for a swim, so long as you don’t mind walking along stones to get to the water.
“There are plenty of cafes along the beach, overall perfect for a day out or just a walk.”
The Express has reached out to Worthing Borough Council for comment.
The top 10 worst places for shoplifting according to the study:
- Worthing – 23.2 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Lincoln – 21.5 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Mansfield – 20.9 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Hartlepool – 20.4 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Nottingham – 17.0 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Crawley – 16.6 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Cambridge – 16.5 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Dundee – 14.7 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Norwich – 14.2 incidents per 1,000 residents
- Doncaster – 13.7 incidents per 1,000 residents
