Billingshurst Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

July 2023 saw Billingshurst’s crime rate rise to 8.5 per 1,000 residents, a 2.4% increase above the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This marks a sharp upward trend from the previous month, with the area recording 95 total crimes — a 44.1% jump in just one month. The most prevalent crime category was vehicle crime, which accounted for 33.7% of all reported incidents (32 cases), far exceeding the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000 by 504%. Violent crimes, including sexual offences, followed closely with 22 cases (23.2% of total), though this category was 28% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour (12 cases) and shoplifting (7 cases) also featured prominently, with the latter seeing a 250% monthly increase. The seasonal context of July — peak summer, school holidays, and a surge in tourism — likely contributed to heightened activity in public spaces. While vehicle crime may partly reflect the area’s proximity to major roads and parking zones, the sharp rise in shoplifting could signal increased foot traffic during festivals and events. The data suggests a combination of local demographics and seasonal rhythms, with the area’s character as a small built-up district within Horsham influencing these patterns. This upward trend raises questions about the effectiveness of current policing strategies in managing summer-specific crime spikes.

The month-on-month surge in crime was driven by a 300% increase in other theft (from 1 to 4 cases) and a 250% rise in shoplifting (from 2 to 7 cases), suggesting a possible link to summer retail activity or unsecured premises. Burglary also doubled from zero to six cases, though this may reflect improved reporting rather than a genuine doubling. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 20%, possibly due to increased community vigilance or seasonal shifts in property use. Vehicle crime remains a stark outlier, with 32 cases (2.9 per 1,000) — 504% above the UK average — which may be tied to the area’s infrastructure or parking density. The balance of crime types shifted notably: property crimes (56 cases) now outpace violent crimes (22 cases), a reversal from earlier in the year. This shift could indicate a seasonal trend where property-related incidents dominate during peak tourist months. The rate of violence and sexual offences (2.0 per 1,000) was 28% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area’s relatively low population density and community-oriented policing efforts.

Billingshurst’s crime rate in July 2023 (8.5 per 1,000) represents a 44.1% increase compared to the previous month’s rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This steep rise places the area’s monthly crime burden at roughly one reported incident for every 117 residents — a figure that, while not extreme, underscores the rapid change in just one month. Daily crime context reveals an average of three crimes per day in July, a rate that, while manageable, may feel more pronounced during peak summer activity. When scaled to the area’s population of 11,140, the 95 reported crimes translate to a 0.85% monthly incidence rate — a metric that, while lower than some urban centres, highlights the volatility of crime in smaller built-up areas. The comparison to the UK average is nuanced: while the overall rate is only 2.4% higher than the national figure, specific categories like vehicle crime (504% above UK average) and burglary (52% above UK average) reveal significant localised disparities. These figures may reflect the area’s unique characteristics, such as its proximity to transport links or seasonal events, rather than a generalised trend. Residents should note that the 1-in-117 resident ratio is a monthly aggregate, not a daily measure, and that this context provides a clearer picture of the area’s crime profile during high-traffic periods.