Billingshurst Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 in Billingshurst presented a crime profile shaped by a delicate balance between property and violent crime, with neither category dominating the overall rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents—40% below the UK average. This equilibrium, while stable, warrants closer examination of the underlying factors that may have contributed to the distribution of crime types. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34% of all crimes, a proportion that, while higher than some property-related categories, remains 46% below the UK average for this category. This contrast highlights the area’s relatively strong performance in managing violent crime, possibly influenced by local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives. The prevalence of property-related offences, however, underscores the need for targeted measures to address vulnerabilities in this domain. For instance, criminal damage and arson rose sharply to 17% of total crimes, a 35% increase above the UK average, suggesting potential links to seasonal factors such as unoccupied properties during the holiday period. This trend may be exacerbated by the area’s built-up character within Horsham, where older housing stock and seasonal absences could create conditions conducive to such crimes. The overall crime rate, though low compared to national standards, reflects a combination of local dynamics and broader seasonal influences. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime both declined, indicating that some preventive measures may be yielding positive results. However, the 100% increase in possession of weapons—a category that is 186% above the UK average—raises concerns about the availability of illicit weapons and the potential for escalation in violent incidents. This finding may prompt further scrutiny of local law enforcement’s ability to monitor and mitigate such risks. The seasonal context of December, with its dark evenings and increased social activity, likely plays a role in shaping these patterns, though the exact mechanisms remain to be explored. The balance between property and violent crime in Billingshurst thus offers a nuanced picture of the area’s safety landscape, one that requires continued monitoring and adaptive responses to emerging challenges.

December 2025 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson (+100%), other theft (+100%), and possession of weapons (+100%), all of which may reflect the seasonal context of empty homes over holidays and heightened property vulnerability during the festive period. Conversely, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour both declined—vehicle crime fell by 50% and anti-social behaviour by 37.5%—suggesting a possible reduction in opportunistic theft as residents prioritised home security. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category (34% of total crimes), remained 46% below the UK average, a contrast to the 35% increase in criminal damage and arson above the national benchmark. This imbalance between property and violent crime may indicate a community where public order and property protection are more actively managed, though the rise in weapon possession warrants attention. A resident might find the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly concerning, as it could signal increased risk during winter months.

Billingshurst’s crime rate in December 2025 rose 27.1% from November 2025, climbing to 4.2 per 1,000 residents from 3.3 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in patterns: daily crime averaged two incidents per day across the 31-day period, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 237 residents over the course of the month. While this rate remains significantly below the UK average, the month-on-month rise suggests a potential seasonal influence, particularly as December’s darker evenings and holiday-related activity may have altered community dynamics. The population-scaled perspective is critical here: with 11,140 residents, the 47 total crimes reported equate to a manageable burden, but the increase from November underscores the need for vigilance during periods of heightened social interaction and reduced visibility. This comparison also highlights the area’s consistent safety profile relative to national trends, where Billingshurst’s lower violent crime rates—particularly in violence and sexual offences—stand out as a protective factor against broader UK trends.