Horsham Crime Rate

Horsham Crime Overview

Horsham presents as a notably secure region within West Sussex, characterised by a safety score of 88/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 55.8 per 1,000 residents, which sits comfortably below the UK national average of 91.6. Recent data indicates a stable trend, with a minor 0.6% decrease in total recorded offences over the last year. This suggests a consistent and well-managed security environment across the local authority's diverse landscape of market towns and rural villages. As we delve into the specific statistics from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, the data reveals a region that prioritises community safety while maintaining lower-than-average property crime figures, despite the town's active commercial character.

About Horsham

Horsham is a historic market town in West Sussex, serving as a primary administrative and commercial hub for the surrounding district. The area is characterised by a mix of high-quality residential neighbourhoods, a thriving town centre with diverse retail and dining options, and several significant business parks. These features attract a stable population of professionals and families, but the town's role as a regional transport hub—with direct rail links to London and the South Coast—contributes to a transient population during commuting hours.

The local economy is robust, with major employers in the financial services and pharmaceutical sectors. While Horsham is generally affluent, the density of retail activity in the town centre influences crime statistics, particularly in categories such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The town's nightlife, though more modest than nearby Crawley or Brighton, also plays a role in evening activity levels. These urban characteristics, combined with a high standard of living, create a unique safety profile that balances the security of a suburban district with the challenges of a busy commercial centre.

Crime Breakdown in Horsham

Horsham's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 2,768 recorded incidents, or 32.8% of all crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.7% and shoplifting at 12.0%. While personal and public order offences are the most frequent, property crime remains a significant consideration for the local community.

Overall property crime—which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from the person, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, and other theft categories—occurs at a rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting (6.7 per 1,000) and other theft (6.0%) are the most frequent sub-types within this category. For homeowners, the burglary rate is 1.9 per 1,000, while vehicle crime stands at 2.0 per 1,000. The combined volume of theft and criminal damage suggests that maintaining a visible and robust security presence is essential to protecting domestic and commercial assets in this active market town.

Crime Trends in Horsham

The crime trend in Horsham is currently classified as stable, with a very slight year-over-year decrease of 0.6%. Throughout 2025, the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents showed typical seasonal fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 4.0 in January, rising to 4.9 by March and April. Activity peaked during the late spring and summer months, reaching a high of 5.5 in May, before gradually descending toward the end of the year, finishing at 4.0 in December.

This pattern suggests that while crime remains relatively consistent, there is a slight increase in activity during the warmer months, a common trend across the UK. The overall stability indicates that local safety initiatives and policing are effectively containing crime levels in this busy market town. For residents, this provides a predictable environment, though the late spring peak serves as a reminder to remain vigilant during periods of higher outdoor activity and footfall in the town centre.

Nearby Area Comparison

When examining the regional context, Horsham (55.8 per 1,000) serves as a primary hub. Interestingly, several adjacent areas including Adur, Crawley, Worthing, Mid Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and Waverley all reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 in the current data period, suggesting these are exceptionally low-crime zones in this dataset. While Horsham has a higher comparative rate due to its larger urban centre and commercial activity, it remains a very safe choice when viewed against the broader UK average of 91.6, maintaining a high safety score of 88/100.

Professional Security in Horsham

With a property crime rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents, Horsham homeowners benefit from a lower risk environment than many other parts of the country. However, the presence of shoplifting (12.0%) and other theft (6.0%) highlights the importance of proactive security in a busy market town. Traditional CCTV systems often serve as a reactive tool, providing footage only after an incident has occurred. For true prevention, residents should consider AI-driven systems like scOS.

scOS represents a shift from recording crime to preventing it. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, the system monitors property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach the door. Features such as autonomous responses—where lights and speakers activate upon detecting an unauthorised presence—destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area where safety is already high, professional-grade protection like scOS reinforces that security, ensuring your home remains a hard target and discouraging opportunistic crime effectively in both residential and commercial contexts.

How To Keep Safe in Horsham

The most prevalent crime type in the district is violence and sexual offences. While many of these incidents are not random, it is vital to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in the town centre during evening hours. We recommend planning your routes in advance and using well-lit thoroughfares when walking at night.

To address the broader categories of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, residents should ensure their properties are well-maintained and clearly demarcated. Installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home can act as a significant deterrent. Additionally, participating in local Neighbourhood Watch schemes can improve community vigilance. For vehicle safety, never leave valuables on display, as even low-level theft can be opportunistic in busy urban areas. Finally, always report suspicious activity to the local police to help them allocate resources effectively across the district. Given the high shoplifting rate, local businesses should also consider integrated security solutions to protect their assets.