Horsham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected movement in October 2023 was the sharp rise in shoplifting, which surged by 42.2% to 128 incidents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, contrasts with the broader trend of declining crime rates in Horsham, which recorded an overall crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents—32.5% below the UK average. The district's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences (29.8% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.9%) and shoplifting (15.8%). The seasonal context of October, with darker evenings and Halloween, may have contributed to the shoplifting surge. Violence and sexual offences, while the most common category, were 41% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives. Anti-social behaviour also fell significantly below the UK average (30% below), reflecting a broader pattern of lower crime rates in Horsham compared to national trends. The district's relatively low property crime rate (44.5% of total incidents) further underscores its safety profile, with vehicle crime and burglary both significantly below UK averages. These patterns are consistent with Horsham's character as a largely rural district with a mix of commuter and suburban areas, where lower population density and community cohesion may contribute to reduced crime rates. The seasonal factors of October, including the transition to darker evenings and the timing of Halloween, could have influenced local crime patterns. Overall, the data illustrates a district that, while not immune to fluctuations, continues to perform well against national benchmarks.

The most striking shift in October 2023 was the 42.2% increase in shoplifting, rising from 90 to 128 incidents. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 38% UK-wide average for the category, indicating a localised spike. Other theft also rose by 65.8% (38 to 63), potentially linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween or the approach of the Christmas shopping season. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 61.5% (13 to 5), a decline that may reflect ongoing efforts by local authorities to address such offences. The violence and sexual offences category (241 incidents) remained 41% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), highlighting Horsham's continued performance in reducing violent crime. Residents might find the 26 daily crimes figure useful for understanding the local context, though this remains significantly lower than the UK average.

Horsham's crime rate in October 2023 (5.4 per 1,000 residents) marked a 3.3% increase from the previous month's 5.2 per 1,000.5% below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 26 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported offences in the district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 187 residents, a statistic that frames the monthly exposure in relation to the local population of 151,521. This relatively low density of crime, despite the 3.3% monthly rise, suggests that the overall safety profile of Horsham continues to outperform national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is rising, the absolute number of incidents remains low in proportion to the area's size, reinforcing the district's position as a relatively secure place compared to other parts of the UK.