Billingshurst Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Billingshurst during September 2023 reveals a distinct profile shaped by local characteristics and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly a third of all reported crimes, a figure that may be influenced by the area’s demographic makeup and the return of students to educational institutions during the autumn term. This category’s rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents was 23% below the UK average, suggesting that Billingshurst’s community may have effective measures in place to mitigate such incidents. Conversely, public order offences—accounting for 16.4% of total crimes—were 61% above the UK average, a figure that could be linked to the area’s compact built-up nature, where high-density living may contribute to disputes or alcohol-related incidents. The seasonal context of September, with its transition from summer to autumn, likely played a role in shaping crime patterns: as evenings draw in and school terms begin, activity in public spaces may shift, influencing both violent and public order incidents. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime showed significant declines, though these were offset by a sharp rise in criminal damage and arson. This fluctuation may reflect the impact of local events or weather conditions, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections. The overall crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents, 25% below the UK average, underscores Billingshurst’s relatively low exposure to crime compared to other areas, a trend that may be reinforced by its small population and semi-rural setting.

September 2023 saw a 150% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 4 to 10 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with an 87% drop in vehicle crime, which fell from 23 to 3, suggesting shifting patterns in property-related offences. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 70.6% compared to the previous month, though it remained 11% below the UK average. The crime mix reveals a notable imbalance: while violence and sexual offences dominated at 34.3%, public order offences were 61% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local social dynamics or enforcement priorities. The 100% increase in possession of weapons—rising from 0 to 1 incident—highlights an unusual spike in a category that typically sees minimal activity. Residents may find the 1-in-166 monthly exposure rate particularly relevant, as it illustrates the low probability of encountering crime in this area compared to national benchmarks.

Billingshurst's September 2023 crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 41.8% decrease from the previous month's 10.3 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend seen in smaller built-up areas during late summer, when seasonal transitions may reduce public activity in certain spaces. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 2 crimes reported each day, a figure that reflects the low overall rate compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 166 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents in relation to the local population. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to the same population size, though it must be noted that Billingshurst's smaller population base inherently reduces the absolute number of incidents. The contrast with the previous month’s rate suggests that external factors—such as the return of students to educational institutions or reduced evening foot traffic—may have contributed to the drop, though can be established without further analysis.