Crawley Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Crawley's crime profile in November 2023 reveals a pronounced imbalance between property and violent crimes, with property offences accounting for 39.7% of all recorded incidents compared to 32.3% for violent crimes. This 7.4 percentage point gap, while modest, signals a trend consistent with Crawley's character as a commuter town with extensive retail and industrial zones. The overall crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents—40% above the UK average of 7.5—highlights systemic challenges in a region where population density and economic activity intersect. Violence and sexual offences (421 incidents) dominated the violent category, marking a 31% deficit compared to the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, shoplifting (171 incidents) surged to 155% above the UK average, a figure likely tied to the Black Friday shopping period and the presence of large retail parks in the area. Anti-social behaviour (145 incidents) and other theft (117 incidents) also exceeded UK averages by 14% and 45% respectively, reflecting the pressures of a densely populated urban environment. Seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night and the early onset of darker evenings may have contributed to the rise in public order offences (93 incidents), though the 51% deficit compared to the UK average for this category suggests local policing efforts may be effectively mitigating some risks. The data underscores a combination of Crawley's economic drivers and its crime profile, with property crimes showing a seasonal spike during the pre-Christmas retail period.

November 2023 saw a 6.2% increase in shoplifting, rising from 161 to 171 incidents—a direct correlation with the Black Friday shopping rush and the proximity of Crawley's large retail complexes. Theft from the person also rose sharply by 45.5%, from 11 to 16 incidents, a shift that may reflect increased foot traffic in commercial areas during the month. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 68% (25 to 8 incidents), potentially due to colder weather deterring outdoor activity. Robbery rates fell by 61.5% (13 to 5 incidents), suggesting either improved community vigilance or a reduction in high-risk situations. The violent crime category remained 31% above the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This is particularly striking given that burglary (41 incidents) fell 12% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect Crawley's lower density of residential properties compared to other areas. Public order offences (93 incidents) decreased by 34.5% from the previous month, due to targeted policing around Bonfire Night events. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of Crawley's crime picture, where seasonal factors and local geography interact in complex ways.

Crawley's crime rate in November 2023 (10.5 per 1,000 residents) represents a 10.9% decline from the previous month's rate of 11.8, indicating a modest but notable improvement in local safety metrics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 95 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly higher than the UK average. On a daily basis, Crawley experienced approximately 43 crimes per day, a figure that, while not unusual for a town of its size, underscores the persistent challenge of maintaining public safety. With a population of 124,028, the 10.5 per 1,000 rate translates to 1,302 total crimes—a number that, when compared to the UK average, highlights Crawley's position as a town with above-average crime concerns. This is particularly evident in categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, where local rates exceed UK averages by over 100% and 14% respectively. The decline from the previous month, however, suggests that local interventions may be beginning to yield results. For residents, these figures translate to a tangible need for vigilance, particularly in high-traffic retail areas and during late-night hours when crime rates tend to spike.