Broadbridge Heath Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Broadbridge Heath's crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents in March 2024 places it 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently safer profile compared to national trends. This built-up area within Horsham shows a distinct crime profile, with property crimes (23 incidents) accounting for 62% of total reported crimes, followed by violent crimes (7 incidents). The most prevalent property offences were shoplifting (8 incidents) and vehicle crime (8 incidents), both significantly above UK averages. While shoplifting rates nationally average 0.6 per 1,000, Broadbridge Heath recorded 1.1 per 1,000, and vehicle crime rates (1.1 per 1,000) exceeded the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000 by 134%. This pattern may reflect the area's retail presence and commuter-oriented infrastructure, which could contribute to higher exposure to targeted theft. Seasonal context suggests March's transition to spring, with later evenings and shifting routines, may have influenced crime patterns. However, the overall low crime rate compared to the UK average suggests effective local policing or community factors that sustain safety. Violent crimes, at 0.9 per 1,000, remained 66% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, indicating a marked divergence from national trends in this category.

March 2024 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with vehicle crime surging by 700% (from 1 to 8 incidents) and criminal damage and arson rising by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents). These increases contrast sharply with a 71.4% decline in other theft (from 7 to 2 incidents) and a 58.8% reduction in violence and sexual offences (from 17 to 7 incidents). The spike in vehicle crime may relate to seasonal factors, as longer evenings and increased foot traffic during spring transitions could heighten opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, the 66% drop in violent crimes compared to the UK average (2.7 per 1,000) suggests effective policing or community interventions in this category. Anti-social behaviour (5 incidents) and criminal damage (5 incidents) both fell below UK averages by 40% and 21% respectively, though criminal damage's increase from the previous month may signal emerging local challenges. Shoplifting remains a persistent issue, with its rate 80% above the UK average, driven by retail density in the area. Residents might find the 35.1% safety margin over the UK average particularly relevant, though targeted efforts to address vehicle crime and criminal damage could help sustain this advantage.

Broadbridge Heath's March 2024 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents represents a 5.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.2 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day during March, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 202 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low, highlights the need for vigilance in addressing specific crime types like vehicle crime and criminal damage, which saw sharp increases. With a population of 7,463, the area's crime statistics demonstrate a unique balance between urban and rural characteristics, where the built-up nature of Broadbridge Heath within Horsham may create distinct opportunities for property crime compared to more isolated communities. The 35.1% safety margin over the UK average suggests systemic factors—such as effective policing strategies or community cohesion—that may be sustaining this lower rate. However, the spikes in vehicle crime and criminal damage indicate areas for targeted intervention. Locally, these figures provide context for residents assessing personal risk, with the 1-in-202 monthly exposure rate offering a concrete measure of how crime affects the community relative to national benchmarks.