Rural Crawley Crime Rate

Rural Crawley has an overall crime rate of 122.5 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 93.1. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 74/100, indicating that while the volume of crime is elevated, it remains a relatively stable environment for its 3,950 residents. Over the past year, crime in Rural Crawley has decreased by 8.7% year-over-year, which is a very positive trend. The area's crime profile is notably driven by its proximity to major transport and commercial hubs. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of these statistics, including a breakdown of crime types and temporal patterns, to help residents understand their safety environment.

Crime in Rural Crawley

Rural Crawley has a crime profile dominated by violence and sexual offences (26.0%), anti-social behaviour (20.7%), and public order offences (10.5%). These top three categories account for over half of all reported incidents, reflecting a mix of interpersonal and community-level issues in the area. Vehicle crime also features significantly, representing 9.7% of the total.

Property crime in Rural Crawley—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 39.7 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 32.9. Theft-related offences are major contributors to this figure, particularly during the day when they account for up to 59% of all incidents. Vehicle crime, while representing 9.7% of the total, is highly concentrated at night. In fact, 64% of all crimes committed between midnight and 6am are vehicle-related. For residents, this means that property vulnerability is a significant factor, requiring robust security measures both during the day for theft protection and at night for vehicle safety. Burglary, while relatively low at 2.1%, still peaks during the afternoon and evening.

Rural Crawley is currently on a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 8.7% year-over-year. This reduction is a strong indicator of the area's increasing safety. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows some fluctuation, with the crime rate per 1,000 residents ranging from a low of 6.6 in January 2025 to a peak of 13.9 in July 2025.

The latter half of 2025 has seen the rate vary between 9.4 and 11.4. The peak in July suggests a summer surge, while the subsequent months have shown a more consistent level of activity. For residents, these figures confirm that Rural Crawley is becoming safer, with the overall volume of crime falling. This downward trend allows for more effective community policing and provides increased peace of mind for the local population.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Crawley

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Rural Crawley, followed by anti-social behaviour. While these figures can be concerning, there are practical steps residents can take to stay safe.

To stay safe, we recommend being mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking through the area 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 downward trend.

Property security should be a priority, particularly during the day; with theft accounting for 59% of afternoon crimes, always ensure that doors and windows are securely locked and that valuables are not visible from the outside. For vehicle owners, the high percentage of vehicle crime at night (64%) suggests that using a locked garage or installing a motion-activated security light over your driveway is a highly effective deterrent. Finally, because theft and burglary are factors, be cautious with deliveries and consider using a secure parcel box to prevent opportunistic theft from your doorstep.

Rural Crawley exhibits a very distinct temporal pattern for crime, largely driven by its high theft and vehicle crime rates. During the afternoon hours (12pm-6pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for a significant 59% of all reported incidents. This suggests that opportunistic thieves are active during the day when properties may be less monitored.

As night falls, the risk profile shifts dramatically. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime becomes the dominant issue, making up a significant 64% of all recorded offences in that time block. This indicates that vehicles parked overnight are the most vulnerable assets in the area. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see a rise in 'other' offences (36%), which includes anti-social behaviour and public order issues. For Rural Crawley residents, this data shows that theft protection is the priority during the day, while vehicle security should be the absolute priority overnight. This pattern is typical for an area with both residential and transport-linked characteristics.

In the local regional context, Rural Crawley is a high-activity area compared to more isolated rural districts. Its crime rate of 122.5 is likely influenced by its proximity to the main Crawley urban centre and Gatwick Airport. This positioning makes Rural Crawley one of the busier rural hubs for reported incidents. For residents, this means that personal and property security are more important here than in more remote rural areas. The 8.7% decrease in crime is a positive sign, but the area remains more active than many of its neighbours. Understanding this regional positioning is key to a balanced view of local safety.

Rural Crawley's property crime rate of 39.7 per 1,000 residents is above the UK average, highlighting a clear need for effective security. Theft and vehicle crime are particularly high, with vehicle crime accounting for a significant 64% of all night-time incidents. 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 areas with elevated property crime. By using AI-driven multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries and driveway in real-time. It doesn't just record; it understands. The system can distinguish between a delivery person and a stranger loitering near your car at 3am. 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 Rural Crawley residents, this proactive approach is the most effective way to combat the high rates of vehicle theft and opportunistic property crime seen in the local statistics.