Horsham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bicycle theft in Horsham surged to 25% above the UK average in May 2023, an outlier in an otherwise low-crime profile. The local authority district recorded 4.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 36.9% of total reported incidents. This category alone was 46% below the UK average, with 1.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. The seasonal shift in May—longer evenings and bank holidays—may partly explain the elevated violence rates, though the area's character as a largely rural district with smaller urban centres suggests limited exposure to high-risk environments typically associated with urban violence. Public order offences followed closely, representing 11% of total crimes, while criminal damage and arson accounted for 9.8%. These property-related incidents were 35% below the UK average, consistent with the area's lower population density and reduced commercial activity compared to major cities. The overall crime picture illustrates a community where most residents experience minimal direct exposure to crime, though the sharp rise in bicycle theft highlights a specific vulnerability. This category, at 0.1 per 1,000 residents, remains a local anomaly that may reflect seasonal changes in cycling patterns or increased theft opportunities in open spaces.

Bicycle theft in Horsham jumped 233.3% in May 2023, rising from 3 to 10 incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000 residents. This spike may reflect increased cycling during warmer weather or gaps in local security measures for parked bikes. Meanwhile, possession of weapons saw a 166.7% increase, rising from 3 to 8 cases, though this remains well below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. The most significant decline was in shoplifting, which fell 49.2% from 65 to 33 incidents—a drop that may align with May's bank holidays reducing foot traffic in retail areas. Violence and sexual offences, though the largest category, remained 46% below the UK average, suggesting effective local interventions or community dynamics that mitigate interpersonal conflict. The 9.4% increase in overall crime rate compared to April (3.7 to 4.1 per 1,000) was driven by small but notable shifts in specific categories. Residents may find the 49.2% reduction in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it indicates a potential success in retail security measures or altered consumer behaviour during the month.

Horsham's crime rate rose 9.4% in May 2023 compared to April's 3.7 per 1,000.8% below the UK average. This translates to approximately 20 crimes per day in the local authority district—a figure that, while technically a local metric, provides context for residents to gauge daily exposure. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 244 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. With a population of 151,521, Horsham's crime profile reflects a community where most residents experience minimal direct interaction with criminal activity. The previous month's rate (3.7) was 0.4 per 1,000 lower than May's figure, a relatively small fluctuation that may be attributed to seasonal variations in social activity. The daily crime count of 20—equivalent to one crime every 6.5 hours—suggests a low-intensity crime environment compared to larger urban areas. This is particularly evident when considering the 70% below UK average for anti-social behaviour, which may be linked to the area's smaller population density and community-oriented policing strategies.