Horsham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham's overall crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents in December 2023 places it 40.3% below the UK average of 7.2. This stark contrast with national figures highlights the area's relatively low levels of criminal activity, consistent with its character as a predominantly suburban district with limited urban density. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.6% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (13.6%) and anti-social behaviour (12.2%). While violent crime rates in Horsham (1.4 per 1,000) are 47% below the UK average, shoplifting remains an area of concern, with rates 22% above the national figure. December's seasonal context—marked by Christmas shopping, extended dark hours, and holiday-related absences—likely influenced patterns, though the area's lower violent crime rates may reflect its quieter, more residential nature compared to major urban centres. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage rates were also lower than UK averages, suggesting effective community engagement or environmental factors that deter such activities. The data illustrates a crime profile shaped by local demographics, with property crimes (43.9% of total) dominating over violent incidents, a trend often seen in suburban areas where residential security measures are more prevalent.

December 2023 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with robbery rates surging by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) and theft from the person doubling (from 3 to 6). These increases, though small in absolute terms, may signal heightened risk during the festive season, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or unsecured retail spaces. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50% (from 8 to 4), and other theft dropped by 38.7% (from 62 to 38), possibly reflecting reduced opportunities during the holiday period when homes are unoccupied. Shoplifting emerged as a notable outlier, with rates 0.5 per 1,000 (22% above the UK average), a figure that may be linked to the retail sector's prominence in Horsham. Vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000) was also 11% above the UK average, influenced by seasonal changes in parking patterns or increased vehicle movement during Christmas shopping. For residents, the 15.9% drop in overall crime rates from November (5.2 to 4.3 per 1,000) offers a tangible measure of progress, though vigilance in high-risk areas like retail centres remains critical.

Horsham's crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 in December 2023 represents a 15.9% decrease from November's 5.2, indicating a downward trend over the final month of the year. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 21 crimes per day—equivalent to one crime occurring for roughly every 231 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides context for residents, showing that most individuals are unlikely to encounter crime directly. When compared to the UK average, Horsham's significantly lower violent crime rates (1.4 per 1,000 vs. 2.6) and anti-social behaviour incidents (0.5 vs. 0.9) suggest a community with strong social cohesion or effective policing. However, the higher shoplifting rates (0.6 vs. 0.5) underscore the need for targeted retail security measures. The population-scaled perspective—151,521 residents—further contextualises these figures, demonstrating that even relatively high crime rates (e.g. 0.6 per 1,000 for shoplifting) translate to fewer than 90 incidents across the entire district. These comparisons highlight both the area's strengths in reducing certain crime types and the specific challenges that require focused attention.