Horsham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0. This marked contrast with national trends is most striking in the category of bicycle theft, which was 25% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000 vs 0.08 per 1,000). The area’s crime profile in May was dominated by violence and sexual offences (36.9% of total crimes), followed by public order (11.0%) and criminal damage and arson (9.8%). These figures align with Horsham’s character as a largely rural district with a mix of suburban and small-town infrastructure, where social interactions in public spaces may contribute to higher rates of public order offences. Seasonal factors also appear to influence patterns: longer evenings and bank holidays in May may have increased outdoor drinking and socialising, explaining the prominence of violence and public order crimes. However, the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000) is 46% higher than Horsham’s rate, suggesting local measures—such as community policing or targeted interventions—may be playing a role in reducing violent crime. Meanwhile, property crimes accounted for only 36.3% of total offences, a lower share than the UK average (property crimes typically make up around 40-50% nationally), indicating a possible focus on preventing violent incidents over property-related offences. This divergence from national trends underscores the need to consider Horsham’s unique demographic and geographic context when interpreting crime data.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in bicycle theft (+233.3%) and possession of weapons (+166.7%), both of which rose to levels exceeding UK averages. The spike in bicycle theft—from 3 to 10 incidents—suggests a possible link to seasonal factors, such as increased cycling during longer evenings or the timing of local events. This anomaly contrasts with broader declines in shoplifting (-49.2%) and theft from the person (-83.3%), which may reflect successful policing efforts or changes in consumer behaviour during May. The crime mix also shifted significantly: while property crimes accounted for 36.3% of total offences, violent crimes made up 36.9%, indicating a near-even split between property and violent crime—a balance not typically seen in UK crime profiles. Anti-social behaviour (9.7% of crimes) was 70% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000, suggesting that local initiatives or community engagement may be effective in curbing disruptive behaviour. The rise in possession of weapons, however, raises questions about local enforcement or reporting practices, though the small absolute numbers (8 incidents) mean the impact remains limited. For residents, the drop in theft from the person (-83.3%) is a tangible benefit, reflecting a 500% reduction in the absolute number of incidents from June 2022 to May 2023.

Horsham’s crime rate in May 2023 (4.1 per 1,000) was 9.4% higher than the previous month’s rate of 3.7 per 1,000, marking a slight upward trend. Over the course of the month, this translated to roughly 20 crimes reported per day, a figure that, while low by UK standards, illustrates the local rhythm of crime in a relatively safe area. The monthly exposure rate—1 crime for every 244 residents—suggests that the likelihood of experiencing crime in Horsham is significantly lower than the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be closer to 1 in 125 residents. This disparity is amplified by the area’s population of 151,521, which is over 15% larger than the average UK local authority, yet crime remains proportionally much lower. The comparison also highlights Horsham’s success in keeping violent crime below the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 1.5 per 1,000 compared to the UK’s 2.8 per 1,000. However, the rise in bicycle theft and weapons possession, though small in absolute terms, signals potential areas for local vigilance. These figures, when viewed alongside the broader context of Horsham’s low crime rates, suggest a community that is generally secure but requires targeted attention to emerging trends in specific categories.