Henfield Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences in Henfield during December 2023 were 54% below the UK average, marking the most significant deviation from national trends. The area’s overall crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents places it 47.2% below the UK average of 7.2, a disparity that may partly reflect Henfield’s character as a relatively low-density built-up area with limited commercial or nightlife activity. Property crimes accounted for 52% of all incidents (12 out of 23), with burglary and criminal damage comprising 43.5% of the total. This distribution aligns with Henfield’s likely profile as a residential area with fewer public spaces driving property-related crime. Seasonal factors may have influenced patterns: December’s dark evenings and holiday-related absences could have contributed to the 200% rise in criminal damage and arson, while the Christmas shopping period might have tempered opportunities for theft. However, the lower-than-average violent crime rate suggests that Henfield’s social dynamics—including stronger community cohesion or fewer transient populations—may mitigate conflicts. The absence of drug-related incidents, matching the UK average, contrasts with the 233% spike in possession of weapons, an anomaly requiring further contextual analysis.

December 2023 saw a 300% increase in burglary, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, a shift that may reflect heightened vulnerability during the holiday season when homes are unoccupied. Criminal damage and arson also surged by 200%, from 2 to 6 cases, possibly linked to seasonal property neglect or targeted acts during extended periods of darkness. Conversely, other theft and anti-social behaviour each fell by 66.7%, suggesting that local initiatives or seasonal factors (such as reduced foot traffic during Christmas) may have curbed these categories. The rate of violence and sexual offences (1.2 per 1,000) was 54% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 79% increase in criminal damage and arson, which was 79% above the national rate. This divergence underscores Henfield’s unique crime profile, where violent crime remains subdued despite property crime surges. Residents may find the 1.2 per 1,000 rate for violence and sexual offences particularly reassuring, though the sharp rise in burglary warrants attention.

Henfield’s crime rate in December 2023 rose 9.4% from the previous month’s 3.5 per 1,000, a shift that may reflect seasonal fluctuations rather than long-term trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day in December, a figure that, while low, highlights the concentrated nature of incidents during the month. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 260 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when scaled to Henfield’s population of 5,985, suggests that residents face a markedly lower risk of victimisation compared to the national average. The previous month’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000 provides context for the December increase, though the overall trajectory remains firmly below the UK average. These figures, when viewed alongside the 47.2% deficit from the national rate, reinforce Henfield’s position as a comparatively safe area, even as specific categories like burglary and criminal damage show volatility. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the month-on-month rise, Henfield’s crime profile remains distinctively low-risk for most residents.