Crawley Crime Rate

Introduction to Crawley Crime Statistics

Crawley, an important town in West Sussex, has an overall crime rate of 128.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is notably higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score is currently rated at 71 out of 100, indicating a moderate level of safety, though it falls below the UK average safety score of 78/100. In terms of recent trends, Crawley's crime rate has remained relatively stable, experiencing a slight decrease of 5.0% year-over-year. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed analysis of crime types, trends, and local comparisons within Crawley.

What Contributes to Crawley's Crime Statistics?

Crawley's crime statistics are influenced by a combination of its geographical characteristics, economic activities, and population dynamics. As a significant urban centre in West Sussex, Crawley serves as a major commercial and residential hub. Its strategic location, particularly its proximity to Gatwick Airport, contributes to a transient population and a high volume of daily visitors. This constant flow of people, alongside major transport links, can sometimes present opportunities for certain types of crime, such as theft and anti-social behaviour, which are more common in busy areas.

The town's vibrant nightlife and retail sectors also play a role, with increased activity in these areas often correlating with higher instances of public order offences and shoplifting. While providing economic benefits and amenities for residents, these characteristics can also contribute to a higher overall crime rate compared to more rural or suburban districts. Understanding these factors helps to explain why Crawley's crime rate is higher than the national average, providing context for the local safety score and the types of crime observed.

Crime Type Analysis in Crawley

An in-depth look at crime in Crawley reveals that Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant category, accounting for 33.3% of all reported crimes, with 5,307 incidents (42.8 per 1,000 residents). Following this, Anti-social behaviour makes up 13.8% of the total with 2,201 crimes (17.8 per 1,000), and Shoplifting is the third most prevalent, contributing 11.1% of offences with 1,773 incidents (14.3 per 1,000). These top three categories highlight key areas of concern for residents and local authorities.

Considering property-related crime, which is a significant concern for homeowners, Crawley recorded 43.4 offences per 1,000 people. This encompasses categories such as burglary (3.2 per 1,000), other theft (10.4 per 1,000), vehicle crime (4.6 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (7.4 per 1,000), theft from the person (1.3 per 1,000), robbery (1.3 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (1.0 per 1,000). This elevated property crime rate suggests that residents and businesses in Crawley should be particularly vigilant regarding the security of their possessions and premises.

Crime Trends in Crawley

Crawley's crime statistics show a stable trend over the last year, with a 5.0% decrease in the total number of crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents provides further insight into these patterns. The crime rate saw a dip towards the end of 2024, reaching 9.3 in December, before slightly rebounding in early 2025 to 9.9 in January and 9.2 in February. There was a noticeable increase in March and April 2025, with rates at 11.2, followed by a peak in May at 11.9 per 1,000. The latter part of the year, from June to September 2025, shows the rate fluctuating between 10.5 and 11.7. This overall stability, despite minor monthly variations, suggests that while there isn't a significant surge in crime, continued efforts are necessary to maintain or further improve safety in Crawley.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When examining crime statistics in the broader regional context, Crawley's overall crime rate of 128.7 per 1,000 residents can be compared to several neighbouring local authority districts. Mid Sussex and Horsham generally exhibit lower crime rates, often associated with more rural or suburban characteristics. In contrast, areas such as Reigate and Banstead, and Epsom and Ewell, while having their own unique profiles, offer a point of comparison for urbanised areas within the region. Mole Valley and Tandridge typically present different crime landscapes, often reflecting their distinct population densities and economic activities. Understanding these comparisons helps to contextualise Crawley's safety score of 71/100, providing residents with a clearer picture of how their area stands relative to its neighbours and informing decisions about local safety and security.

Protecting Your Property in Crawley

Given Crawley's property crime rate of 43.4 per 1,000 residents, prioritising robust home security is a sensible step for homeowners and tenants. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarm systems or CCTV, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. If you are looking for advanced protection, consider proactive solutions that deter criminals before they can even access your property.

Modern AI-powered security systems, like scOS, offer a different approach by detecting threats at your property boundary. Rather than just recording a burglary, these systems are designed to prevent it. They leverage multi-camera intelligence to monitor all cameras simultaneously and can even verify vehicles instantly. By learning your routines, such systems can differentiate between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, only alerting you when necessary. The autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them move on. Investing in professional-grade, proactive security can significantly enhance your property's safety, moving beyond just documenting crime to actively preventing it.