Rural Crawley Crime Rate

Rural Crawley is a residential and rural area on the outskirts of the main town, with an overall crime rate of 123.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure is higher than the UK national average of 91.6, resulting in a safety score of 73/100, compared to the UK average of 79/100. However, the most recent data from January 2025 to December 2025 shows a positive trend, with a 6.4% decrease in total crime compared to the previous year. With a population of 3,950, Rural Crawley offers a more peaceful setting than the town centre, though its proximity to major transport links and urban activity still influences local crime figures. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime patterns to help residents better understand their safety environment.

Crime in Rural Crawley

In Rural Crawley, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 27.6% of all reported incidents (33.9 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 20.0%, followed by public order offences at 11.3%.

Property-related crime in Rural Crawley—including burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—occurs at a rate of 37.5 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK national average of 32.2. Vehicle crime is a significant concern within this category, making up 9.3% of total crime, while 'other theft' accounts for 7.6%. Burglary is relatively low at 1.6% of total incidents. For residents, this indicates that while the risk of home break-ins is lower than in the town centre, the overall level of theft and vehicle-related crime remains a significant factor. The data suggests that security efforts in Rural Crawley should prioritize protecting vehicles and deterring opportunistic theft around the home.

Crime Trends in Rural Crawley

The crime rate in Rural Crawley is on a positive downward trend, with a 6.4% decrease year-over-year. This indicates that the safety environment in the area is gradually improving. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 reveals a relatively steady pattern of activity throughout the year.

The year began with a low rate of 6.6 in January, rising to a peak of 13.9 in July. Most months saw rates between 9.4 and 11.7, suggesting that crime is a consistent factor rather than being subject to sharp seasonal spikes. The highest period of activity occurred during the summer months, with July being the busiest. The lowest rates were recorded in January and August. This consistency suggests that residents should maintain a steady level of security awareness year-round, as there are no significantly "quiet" periods in the local crime calendar despite the overall decreasing trend.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Crawley

The most common crime type in Rural Crawley is violence and sexual offences. Maintaining personal awareness and ensuring the security of your property are the most effective ways to stay safe.

When walking in more rural or less-populated areas, stay aware of your surroundings and try to stick to well-lit paths, especially after dark. Letting someone know your plans and expected return time is a good precaution.

Ensure your vehicles are securely locked and all valuables are removed from sight. Since vehicle crime accounts for 65% of all night-time reports in Rural Crawley, parking in a secure garage or well-lit area is vital.

Keep your home and outbuildings secure. Although burglary is relatively low, opportunistic theft still occurs, so ensuring that items like garden equipment and bicycles are locked away is a wise habit.

Report any suspicious activity or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local police. In a smaller community like Rural Crawley, resident reporting is essential for helping authorities maintain a safe environment and allocate resources effectively.

Crime in Rural 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 49% of morning reports and 61% of afternoon reports. This suggests that opportunistic theft is heavily concentrated during the day. Vehicle crime, on the other hand, peaks sharply during the night, representing a significant 65% of all incidents between 12am and 6am. Burglary is more evenly distributed but shows its highest percentage in the afternoon (7%). Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a high proportion of 'other' crimes, which make up 35% of reports in that period. These insights highlight the need for robust daytime security for properties and enhanced vehicle protection during the night-time hours.

In the local regional context, Rural Crawley (123.0) is slightly quieter than the main Crawley urban settlement (134.5). It offers a transition between the busy town centre and the more rural parts of the district. While its crime rate remains high compared to national averages, the 6.4% decreasing trend is a positive sign for the area. Residents in Rural Crawley benefit from a more suburban or rural environment while still having easy access to the extensive amenities of Crawley. Understanding this balance is key for those looking to live in the area while maintaining an awareness of the local safety landscape.

With a property crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 residents, Rural Crawley faces a significant volume of theft and vehicle-related offences. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive—they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In an area where vehicle crime is a major concern, simply having evidence of the event often does not prevent the loss of a vehicle or valuables.

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—such as someone loitering near a vehicle at night—and respond autonomously. Features like deterrent lighting and voice alerts can stop a thief in their tracks. For Rural Crawley residents, 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.