Billingshurst Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Billingshurst, the crime rate in April 2023 translated to a 4.2 per 1,000 population risk, placing the area 44% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure means that, on average, a resident would encounter one reported crime for every 237 people in the community over the course of the month. The crime profile shows a clear dominance of violent and property-related offences, with violence and sexual offences making up 36% of all crimes reported—nearly double the share of the next most common category, anti-social behaviour (21%). The seasonal context of April, with its Easter period and spring weather, likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may partly explain the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. While the area's crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average across most categories, the proportion of violent crimes (17 incidents) slightly outpaces the share of property crimes (15 incidents), suggesting a balance between personal safety concerns and broader community issues. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (2 incidents) and burglary (2 incidents) contrasts with the higher frequency of anti-social behaviour, reflecting the area's character as a built-up residential community with limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres.

April 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with drug-related offences doubling from zero to one incident—a 100% increase. Similarly, shoplifting and public order offences both rose by 100%, reflecting a marked uptick in these categories compared to March. This surge in shoplifting may be connected to the Easter shopping period, while the rise in public order incidents could relate to increased foot traffic during spring holidays. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 75% (from 8 to 2 incidents), likely due to reduced vehicle movement during Easter school holidays. Burglary also decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 incidents), linked to seasonal changes in residential activity. Violent crimes, though still the most common category, decreased by 15% (from 20 to 17 incidents), influenced by the Easter holiday period reducing opportunities for such crimes. The area's performance against UK averages is striking: violence and sexual offences were 42% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour was 24% below. These figures highlight Billingshurst's relatively low incidence of disruptive crimes compared to the UK average, though the sharp increase in shoplifting and public order offences suggests areas for targeted policing or community engagement.

Billingshurst's crime rate in April 2023 (4.2 per 1,000) marked a slight decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000—a 2.1% decline. This small reduction, while statistically significant, may reflect temporary factors such as seasonal fluctuations or changes in police resource allocation. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day in April, a figure that translates to a tangible presence in the community but remains markedly lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, the risk of encountering a reported crime was 1 in 237 residents, a metric that provides context for individual risk perception. With a population of 11,140, this rate underscores the area's relative safety compared to larger urban centres, where crime rates are typically higher. The comparison to the UK average is particularly instructive: for instance, the rate of violence and sexual offences (1.5 per 1,000) is 42% below the national average, suggesting that Billingshurst's community dynamics—possibly including strong social cohesion or effective local policing—contribute to this disparity. However, the sharp increase in shoplifting and public order offences highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of emerging trends, particularly during periods of heightened community activity such as Easter.