Horsham Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham's overall crime rate in November 2023 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 30.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure reflects a consistent trend of lower crime rates in the area compared to the national average, a pattern that may be influenced by Horsham's character as a largely rural district with lower population density and fewer urban-centric crime drivers such as high-density housing or heavy nightlife activity. The top crime types in November were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.5% and shoplifting at 12.3%. These figures align with the seasonal context of November, which typically sees increased retail activity due to Black Friday and the darkening evenings that can contribute to anti-social behaviour. However, the rate of violence and sexual offences in Horsham was 34% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing efforts or the absence of high-risk areas—may be playing a role in keeping these incidents lower than expected. The seasonal context also includes Bonfire Night, which can sometimes lead to spikes in public order offences or anti-social behaviour, yet in Horsham, such incidents remained below the UK average. This contrast highlights the importance of local context in shaping crime patterns, as the same seasonal event might have different impacts in urban versus rural areas. The relatively low levels of violent crime and property crime in Horsham, combined with the absence of significant spikes in theft from the person or robbery, further support the idea that the area's crime profile is distinct from more densely populated or tourist-heavy regions. The data also shows that shoplifting, while still a concern, is slightly higher than the UK average, due to the presence of retail centres or the impact of Black Friday sales. However, this increase is modest compared to the overall decline in other crime categories, indicating that the area's broader safety trends are positive. As November progresses into December, the continued monitoring of these trends will be important to determine whether the factors contributing to Horsham's lower crime rates are sustained or if new seasonal influences—such as the Christmas shopping period—begin to affect the crime picture.

November 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns across Horsham, with vehicle crime increasing by 69% compared to the previous month. This rise, from 42 to 71 incidents, may be linked to the seasonal context of dark evenings and increased traffic during Black Friday shopping. Conversely, robbery rates fell by 60%, dropping from five to two incidents, suggesting a potential reduction in targeted attacks or improved community vigilance. Another striking change was the 85.7% increase in 'Other crime' reports, which rose from seven to 13 cases. This category's expansion could reflect either a genuine uptick in unclassified incidents or changes in how local authorities categorise reported crimes. Shoplifting remained a persistent issue, with 96 incidents recorded—9% above the UK average. This suggests that retail areas in Horsham may continue to face challenges in preventing theft, despite the overall downward trend in crime rates. Meanwhile, violent crimes and anti-social behaviour both fell below UK averages, with the former at 34% below and the latter at 24% below, indicating a safer environment in these categories compared to the national picture.

Horsham's crime rate in November 2023 fell by 3.7% compared to the previous month, reflecting a continued decline in overall criminal activity. The monthly rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents translates to approximately 26 crimes reported each day, a figure that aligns with the area's generally low crime profile relative to the UK average. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 194 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively safe environment in Horsham. When considering the population context, this rate is consistent with the district's character as a largely rural area with lower population density, which may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. The decrease in reported crimes contrasts with the UK's broader trend of seasonal fluctuations, particularly in November, which often sees spikes in retail-related offences due to Black Friday shopping. However, Horsham's data shows a marked reduction in violent crimes and anti-social behaviour, which may indicate the effectiveness of local community initiatives or policing strategies that have been in place during the year.