Billingshurst Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Billingshurst's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.2 per 1,000 residents — 38.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This marked divergence from national trends highlights the area's unique crime profile, shaped by its character as a built-up district within Horsham. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.9% of all incidents, though this rate was 44% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 19.2%, and criminal damage and arson contributed 10.6%, with the latter slightly above the UK average. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days — likely contributes to the lower incidence of outdoor crimes typically associated with warmer months. However, the surge in property-related offences suggests that specific vulnerabilities, such as increased residential activity during the holidays or targeted criminal opportunities in the new year, may have emerged. The area's low overall crime rate, combined with its relatively high population density, indicates a strong correlation between community policing efforts and the built environment's design, which may deter certain types of criminal activity. While direct causal links, the consistency in crime rates across months suggests that local strategies, such as targeted patrols or community engagement, may be sustaining the area's safety profile.

January 2026 marked a significant 200% increase in burglary, 100% rise in shoplifting, and 100% surge in vehicle crime compared to December 2025 — a sharp departure from the area's overall stability. These jumps in property-related offences, despite the area's low crime rate, may reflect seasonal vulnerabilities such as post-holiday property neglect or increased foot traffic in retail zones during January sales periods. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50%, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 37.5%, potentially indicating improved community cohesion or effective disorder management. Public order offences, however, rose 19% above the UK average, a contrast that may relate to the area's built-up character and localised incidents during colder weather. For residents, the daily crime count of roughly two incidents provides a tangible measure of local safety, though the absence of significant month-on-month changes in overall rates suggests that underlying factors, such as policing strategies or socioeconomic conditions, are maintaining the area's crime profile.

Billingshurst's crime rate in January 2026 remained unchanged at 4.2 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2025, reflecting a consistent baseline in local criminal activity. This stability, despite seasonal fluctuations typically seen in January, suggests effective community policing or underlying demographic factors that mitigate crime spikes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day across the 31-day period, a rate that aligns with the low overall figure. When contextualised by population, the monthly aggregate reveals that one reported crime occurred for every 237 residents — a statistic that underscores the rarity of crime in this built-up area. Given Billingshurst's population of 11,140, the relatively small number of incidents highlights its safety profile compared to larger urban centres. This low exposure rate may be influenced by the area's character as a commuter hub within Horsham, where residential density is balanced by limited commercial activity outside the town centre. The consistency in crime rates over consecutive months also indicates that local initiatives, such as targeted patrols or community engagement efforts, may be sustaining the area's low crime environment.