Hotham hit the hardest

The inhabitants endure the highest level of robberies in the area. They also have to put up with the second highest amount of vehicle crimes and the equal second highest number of burglaries.

No other area around Bognor scores so highly on all three major crime categories. The Hotham ward stretches from Longford Road and Shripney Road to Felpham Way and along the seafront from the Hotham Arts Centre to Gloucester Road.

Steve Goodheart, whose Upper Bognor Road home is in Hotham, said: 'There's always problems around here every weekend '“ vandalism, car break-ins. The other week there was a man lying outside the library covered in blood and my caravan was burnt down a few weeks ago. You can feel the atmosphere when they come out of the pubs and clubs with screaming and raving about 2-3am.'

In contrast, Felpham East is easily the most crime-free area in which to live. The village of Walberton is the vehicle crime hot-spot.