As summer draws to a close, many people are heading to the coast for a final holiday getaway. But before choosing a destination, it's worth considering an often-overlooked factor - beach safety. Data from official police statistics covering more than 800 beaches shows the extent to which crime endangers England's beaches.

The Daily Mail analysis has shown that Brighton topped the ladder, being England's most crime-ridden beach. Four crimes a day were recorded on the beach last year, including more than 1,500 crimes or anti-social behaviour such as drinking, littering and begging. Nearly four in ten of the crimes or reports of antisocial behaviour were of a violent or sexual nature.

Brighton Beach is also home to a large homeless population, with some struggling with drug abuse and poor mental health. Being one of Britain's most visited beaches and easily accessible from London, it is the paradise for pickpockets stealing from unprepared tourists. Around three in 10 crimes recorded included theft, robbery, burglary or shoplifting.

A visitor commented on Reddit: "My girlfriend and I walked from Hove beach to Brighton beach along the seafront and we couldn't help but notice that it felt a bit dodgy.

"Loads of teenager roadmen types everywhere with London accents, seemed like a lot of them were drunk or on drugs and felt like something could kick off i.e a fight, stabbing etc."

Reports of serious sexual offences have raised concerns along the pebbled coastline. In September, Sussex Police opened an investigation after a teenage girl was reportedly raped and another woman sexually assaulted on Brighton Beach.

When considering size, top of the charts came a tiny fishing quay in Devon. Spratt Sand had 46 crimes or reports of anti-social behaviour in the year ending June. That amounts to a rate 100 times higher than the one of Brighton Beach, Daily Mail reported. Other beaches with a higher risk of danger, also in Devon, include Reform Beach and Gales Hill.

Morecambe North Beach also topped the list, with 167 total crimes - the fourth highest crime rate of 15.7 crimes per 1,000m². A recent report in Morcambe has shown that men in Morecambe can only expect to live by the age of 72 and the town is struggling to engage its youth due to lack of social activities.