Horsham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The most striking development in October 2023 was the unexpected 42.2% increase in shoplifting, which now accounts for 15.8% of all reported crimes in Horsham. This sharp rise, from 90 to 128 incidents, contrasts with the district's overall safety profile — its crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents is 32.5% below the UK average. The seasonal context of October, with darker evenings and Halloween, may have contributed to this shift. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 29.8% of all incidents (241 cases), but this rate (1.6 per 1,000) is 41% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 15.9% (129 cases), with a 30% deficit compared to national figures. The property crime category, while still a significant portion (44.6% of total incidents), saw notable subcategory variations: vehicle crime fell 42% below the UK average, but shoplifting exceeded expectations. This suggests localized factors — possibly linked to Horsham's retail mix or seasonal foot traffic — may be influencing specific crime types. The overall crime profile continues to reflect Horsham's character as a relatively safe area, though the shoplifting surge highlights the need for targeted analysis of retail environments and consumer behaviour during transitional months.

October saw a 42.2% surge in shoplifting, the most significant monthly increase in the district. This rise, from 90 to 128 incidents, pushed the rate to 0.8 per 1,000 — 38% above the UK average. Other theft also rose sharply, with a 65.8% increase to 63 cases, reflecting potential seasonal pressures. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 61.5%, likely linked to Halloween-related enforcement or temporary deterrents. The mix of crime types shifted with property crime accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents (361 cases) compared to 29.8% for violent crimes. This contrasts with the UK average, where property crime typically constitutes a smaller share. A resident would note the 128 shoplifting cases — the highest monthly total in the dataset — which suggests targeted retail areas may require renewed focus from local authorities.

Horsham's overall crime rate in October 2023 rose slightly to 5.4 per 1,000 residents, a 3.3% increase from the previous month's 5.2. This translates to approximately 26 crimes reported daily across the district, a figure that, while consistent with historical patterns, remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 187 residents, highlighting the relatively low exposure to crime in this area compared to national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective reinforces Horsham's position as a safer-than-average locality, with violent crime rates 41% below the UK average and anti-social behaviour incidents 30% lower. This contrast becomes even starker when considering the sharp rise in shoplifting, which now sits 38% above the UK average, suggesting localized factors may be influencing this category despite the area's overall safety profile.