Crawley (Crawley) Crime Rate

Crawley (Crawley) is a major urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 134.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the UK national average of 91.6. This figure results in a safety score of 69/100, compared to the UK average of 79/100. The most recent data from January 2025 to December 2025 shows that the crime trend is stable, with a minor 1.6% decrease year-over-year. With a population of 119,152, Crawley's high crime rate is influenced by its status as a major regional commercial and transport hub. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime patterns and temporal trends to help residents and businesses better understand the safety environment in the town.

Crime in Crawley (Crawley)

In the urban settlement of Crawley, the crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.0% of all reported incidents, or 44.4 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 14.6%, followed by shoplifting at 12.1%. These top three categories represent nearly 60% of all local crime.

Property-related crime in Crawley—including burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—occurs at a rate of 44.9 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK national average of 32.2. Shoplifting and 'other theft' are the primary drivers in this category, while criminal damage and arson also contribute 5.6% to the total. For residents and business owners, this indicates a high requirement for robust security measures. While burglary accounts for only 2.3% of total crime, the cumulative impact of various theft and damage offences suggests that property in the area remains a frequent target for opportunistic and planned criminal activity.

Crime Trends in Crawley (Crawley)

The crime rate in Crawley is currently stable, with a minor 1.6% decrease year-over-year. This indicates a consistent safety environment despite the high volume of recorded incidents. Monthly data for 2025 shows a steady pattern of activity throughout the year.

The year began with a rate of 10.2 in January, rising to a peak of 12.3 in May and 12.2 in October. Most months saw rates between 10.3 and 12.1, suggesting that crime is a constant factor in the town's urban life rather than being subject to sharp seasonal fluctuations. The highest period of activity occurred between March and August, and again in October. The lowest rate of the year was recorded in February at 9.4. This consistency suggests that residents and businesses should maintain a high level of security awareness year-round, as there are no significantly "quiet" periods in the town's crime calendar.

How To Keep Safe in Crawley (Crawley)

The most common crime type in Crawley is violence and sexual offences. Given the town's busy commercial and social environment, maintaining personal awareness is the most effective way to stay safe.

When visiting the town centre or using major transport hubs, stay aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure and out of sight to deter opportunistic theft.

If you are out in the evening, stick to well-lit, busy routes and try to travel with friends. Be mindful of the high levels of anti-social behaviour in certain areas and avoid confrontational situations.

Ensure your home and business premises are securely locked and well-lit. With a property crime rate of 44.9, investing in high-quality security is a wise precaution for all residents.

Report any suspicious activity or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local police. In a large town like Crawley, community reporting is vital for helping authorities allocate resources to the areas where they are most needed.

Crime in Crawley (Crawley) follows very distinct temporal patterns, particularly for theft and vehicle-related offences. Theft-related crimes are most frequent during the daylight hours, accounting for 57% of morning reports and 59% of afternoon reports. This suggests that opportunistic theft and shoplifting are heavily concentrated during business hours. Vehicle crime, on the other hand, peaks sharply during the night, representing 32% of all incidents between 12am and 6am. Burglary is more evenly distributed but shows its highest percentage at night (16%). Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a high proportion of 'other' crimes, which make up 49% of reports in that period. These insights highlight the need for robust security in commercial areas during the day and enhanced vehicle and home protection during the night-time hours.

In the local regional context, Crawley (134.5) is the most active area for recorded crime. It has a higher crime rate than the nearby settlement of Pease Pottage, which recorded 120.0 crimes per 1,000. Other neighbouring areas, including Tinsley Green, Hookwood, and Shipley Bridge, all reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people during this period. This stark difference highlights Crawley's role as the primary urban centre for the region. While its neighbours offer a much quieter, more rural profile, Crawley provides the highest concentration of amenities, shopping, and transport links, which naturally results in more recorded criminal activity.

With a property crime rate of 44.9 per 1,000 residents, Crawley faces a significant volume of theft and damage offences. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive—they record footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a busy urban environment like Crawley, where shoplifting and other thefts are prevalent, simply having evidence of the event is often not enough to prevent loss.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary before an incident occurs. By monitoring all cameras simultaneously and using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify suspicious behaviour and respond autonomously. Features like deterrent lighting and voice alerts can stop a thief or intruder in their tracks. For Crawley residents and businesses, professional-grade security like scOS provides a powerful deterrent that signals to potential offenders that your property is actively protected, making them far more likely to move on to an easier target elsewhere.