Billingshurst Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Billingshurst's crime rate in October 2023 was 5.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The area's crime profile is shaped by a mix of property and violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 23.1% of all incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour (23.1%) and criminal damage and arson (15.4%). This distribution reflects the characteristics of a built-up area within Horsham, where community spaces and local amenities may contribute to both anti-social behaviour and property-related crimes. Seasonal factors, including the transition to darker evenings and the approach of Halloween, likely influenced the pattern of reported crimes. For instance, the sharp rise in burglary and vehicle crime could be attributed to increased opportunities during the month, while the decline in violence and sexual offences may reflect reduced social activity as the evening hours shorten. The relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average suggests that Billingshurst's community policing efforts, local engagement initiatives, and the area's character as a smaller, more cohesive built-up area may contribute to its safer profile. However, the spike in burglary and vehicle crime highlights the need for targeted measures to address these specific vulnerabilities, particularly in light of seasonal trends.

The most dramatic shift in October 2023 was a 300% increase in burglary, with incidents rising from 1 to 4. This spike contrasts sharply with a 34.8% drop in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 23 to 15. The 200% rise in vehicle crime—jumping from 3 to 9—also stands out, potentially linked to seasonal changes such as darker evenings and Halloween-related activity. Meanwhile, public order offences plummeted by 81.8%, a decline that may reflect reduced foot traffic or changes in local events. Anti-social behaviour remained close to the UK average, with 1.4 per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 1.3 per 1,000. However, vehicle crime and criminal damage were both significantly above the UK average, with rates of 0.8 and 0.9 per 1,000 respectively. These trends highlight a shifting crime mix, with property-related offences gaining prominence over violent crimes during the month.

Billingshurst's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 5.8 per 1,000 residents, a 3.0% decrease from the previous month's 6.0 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 2 crimes reported per day over the 31-day period, a figure that places the area among the safer built-up areas in the UK. When scaled to the local population of 11,140, the monthly exposure means that one reported crime occurred for roughly every 171 residents. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent pattern of lower crime levels in Billingshurst compared to the national average. The population-scaled perspective highlights that the area's crime profile remains relatively stable, with no major spikes or drops in overall activity. The decrease in the monthly rate suggests that local factors—such as community engagement or seasonal patterns—may contribute to this trend, though further analysis would be needed to confirm specific causes.