Henfield Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Henfield's crime profile in January 2026 shows a marked improvement in overall safety, with a crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents — 58.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This stark contrast to national figures highlights the area's relatively low-risk profile, a trend consistent with its character as a small, established built-up area within Horsham. Violent crimes dominated the month's total of 17 reported incidents, accounting for 70.6% of all recorded offences. This includes 12 cases of violence and sexual offences, which are 20% below the UK average for this category. Public order offences and shoplifting followed, each contributing 11.8% and 5.9% respectively, though both remain significantly below national rates. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours — likely contributed to the lower volume of property-related crimes typically associated with busier months. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, the absence of sharp spikes in property crime suggests a stable environment, possibly reinforced by the area's compact nature and lower population density compared to larger urban centres. This pattern aligns with Henfield's historical role as a quiet commuter hub, where community cohesion and limited commercial activity may temper opportunities for certain types of crime.

January 2026 saw an 80% decrease in anti-social behaviour compared to December, with incidents falling from 5 to 1 — a drop that may reflect seasonal changes in social activity or targeted community initiatives. Shoplifting also declined by 50%, aligning with the post-holiday lull in retail activity and potentially reduced foot traffic through local stores. Conversely, violence and sexual offences increased by 9.1%, though this category remains 20% below the UK average. The dominance of violent crime — accounting for 70.6% of all reported incidents — contrasts with the UK average, where violent offences typically constitute a smaller share of total crime. This imbalance may be partly explained by Henfield's built-up area status, where proximity to services and limited space for outdoor activities could increase the likelihood of interpersonal incidents. For residents, the data suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, the overall rate is exceptionally low compared to national benchmarks. The category of public order offences, which dropped by 33.3% from December, also remained 29% below the UK average, indicating that local enforcement or community norms may effectively manage such disturbances. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to address the small but notable rise in violent crime while maintaining the area's strong performance in other categories.

Henfield's crime rate in January 2026 fell by 41.4% compared to December 2025, dropping from 4.9 to 2.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline places the area's current rate in stark contrast to its previous month's figure, suggesting a possible shift in local dynamics or the effectiveness of recent measures. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 352 residents. This metric provides a tangible sense of risk for local residents, emphasizing that the likelihood of encountering crime is exceptionally low relative to the population size. When compared to the UK average, Henfield's performance across multiple categories remains consistently strong — violent crimes are 20% below the national rate, public order offences are 29% below, and shoplifting is 65% below. These disparities may reflect the area's unique characteristics as a smaller, more cohesive built-up area where community oversight and local policing can exert a greater influence. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the rarity of crime in Henfield, with the monthly exposure rate indicating that most residents would not experience any incident during the month. This context is crucial for understanding the area's safety profile, as it suggests that even the relatively higher rate of violent crime is spread across a population in a way that minimizes individual risk.