Crawley Crime Rate

Crawley is a major urban and transport centre with an overall crime rate of 129.7 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 93.1. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 70/100, indicating that while the volume of crime is elevated, it is manageable for a town of its size and complexity. Over the past year, crime in Crawley has remained stable, with a minor 3.7% decrease year-over-year. The area's crime profile is notably driven by its role as a commercial hub and its proximity to Gatwick Airport. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of these statistics, including a breakdown of crime types and local comparisons, to help residents understand their safety environment.

About Crawley

Crawley is a major urban centre in West Sussex, characterized by its unique blend of commercial, industrial, and residential zones. As home to Gatwick Airport, one of the UK's busiest transport hubs, the area experiences a high volume of transient population, which significantly influences its crime statistics. The town's economic landscape is dominated by the aviation industry and the Manor Royal Business District, one of the largest business parks in the South East. These factors, combined with a high population density and active nightlife in the town centre, contribute to an overall crime rate that is higher than the national average.

The transient nature of visitors and workers, alongside the town's role as a regional shopping destination, naturally leads to higher instances of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Economic factors, including the high cost of living in the South East, can also influence crime rates. However, Crawley's safety score of 70/100 indicates that despite these urban challenges, it remains a relatively stable environment for its 124,008 residents. Understanding these area characteristics is essential for a balanced view of Crawley's safety profile.

Crime in Crawley

Crawley's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 32.9% of all reports, occurring at a rate of 42.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue (14.1%), followed by shoplifting (11.4%). These figures reflect the town's status as a major commercial and transport hub, where high footfall naturally leads to more reported incidents.

Property crime in Crawley—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, various types of theft, and criminal damage—stands at a rate of 43.5 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 32.9. Shoplifting and 'other theft' are major contributors to this figure, accounting for nearly 20% of all crime. Vehicle crime and burglary, while present, represent smaller portions of the total (3.4% and 2.4% respectively). For residents and business owners, this means that while violent crime is the top category, property-related offences, particularly theft, are a significant and frequent concern. Robust security for both commercial premises and residential properties is essential to mitigate these elevated property crime rates.

Crawley is currently maintaining a stable safety environment, with a minor 3.7% decrease in total crime year-over-year. This consistency suggests that there have been no major surges in criminal activity over the last twelve months. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows some fluctuation, with the crime rate per 1,000 residents ranging from a low of 9.2 in February 2025 to a peak of 12.0 in October 2025.

The latter half of 2025 has seen the rate vary between 10.5 and 12.0. The peaks in March, April, May, July, and October suggest a fairly consistent level of activity throughout the year, with a slight increase in the warmer months and early autumn. For residents, these figures confirm that Crawley remains an area with a steady volume of crime, where the risk of being a victim has not significantly changed. This stability allows for predictable safety planning and consistent community policing efforts.

In the local regional context, Crawley stands out as the primary hub for criminal activity. Its crime rate of 129.7 is in stark contrast to its immediate neighbours, such as Mid Sussex, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, Horsham, and Epsom and Ewell, all of which reported zero crimes in the same period. This suggests that Crawley, as a major urban and transport centre, attracts a much higher volume of opportunistic crime than the surrounding more rural or residential districts. For those living in or visiting the region, Crawley is the busiest area for reported incidents, making robust personal and property security more important here than in the neighbouring local authorities.

Crawley's property crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents is well above the UK average, highlighting a clear need for effective security. Shoplifting and theft are particularly high, reflecting the town's busy commercial environment. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are often reactive—they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which is of limited use if your property has already been stolen or damaged.

scOS offers a proactive solution designed for busy urban areas like Crawley. By using AI-driven multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it understands. The system can distinguish between a delivery person and a stranger loitering near your premises. Most importantly, scOS intervenes before a crime happens. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously activate lights and audio deterrents, forcing the intruder to move on. For Crawley residents and business owners, this proactive approach is the most effective way to combat the high rates of opportunistic property crime seen in the local statistics.

How To Keep Safe in Crawley

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Crawley, followed by anti-social behaviour. While these figures are typical for a major urban centre, there are practical steps residents can take to stay safe.

To stay safe, we recommend being mindful of your surroundings, especially when in the town centre or near major transport hubs during late evening hours. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated paths. Since anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, residents should report any unusual activity to the local police team to help maintain the area's stability.

Property security should be a priority, particularly for businesses; with shoplifting accounting for 11.4% of all crime, robust on-site security and surveillance are essential. For residents, ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked and that valuables are not visible from the outside. For vehicle owners, using secure car parks or installing motion-activated security lighting over your driveway is a highly effective deterrent. Finally, because theft is a significant factor, be cautious with personal belongings in crowded areas and consider using secure parcel boxes for home deliveries.