Horsham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 151,521, Horsham recorded 785 crimes in September 2023, equating to a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 35% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, highlighting a notable disparity in local crime trends compared to the national picture. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (275 incidents, 35% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (120 cases, 15.3%) and shoplifting (90 cases, 11.5%). Seasonal factors in September—such as the start of the academic year, university freshers’ week, and shorter evenings—likely contribute to shifts in crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences may reflect increased social interactions in the town centre, while anti-social behaviour could be linked to student populations returning to the area. Shoplifting rates, though slightly above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), saw a 30.8% decrease from 130 to 90 cases compared to the previous month. This decline may be influenced by heightened retail security measures or changes in foot traffic as the area transitions from summer to autumn. The overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting effective local policing strategies or community-focused initiatives that have not been explicitly documented. However, the seasonal context of September—marked by the return of students and schoolchildren—may also play a role in shaping these trends, with potential impacts on both violent and property crimes.

September 2023 saw a dramatic 233.3% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 3 to 10 cases. This sharp rise may indicate changes in local security practices, increased opportunities for opportunistic crimes, or shifts in criminal activity patterns linked to the academic calendar. Concurrently, possession of weapons rose by 44.4% (9 to 13 cases), though this category remains below the UK average (0.1 per 1,000). Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 30.8% (130 to 90 cases), and bicycle theft fell by 44.4% (9 to 5 cases), potentially reflecting seasonal adjustments in retail activity or improved security measures. The breakdown of crime types reveals a mixed picture: while violence and sexual offences remain the most prevalent (35% of total crimes), they are 34% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour, at 0.8 per 1,000, is 40% below the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), suggesting that community-focused interventions may be effective in curbing disruptive behaviour. Shoplifting is the only category in Horsham’s breakdown that exceeds the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), though by a narrow margin (7%). This contrast highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, where some categories align closely with national trends while others diverge significantly. For residents, the significant rise in robbery incidents may warrant increased vigilance in public spaces, particularly during late evenings when student populations are more active.

Horsham’s crime rate in September 2023 (5.2 per 1,000) marked a 15.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 26 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally contextual, provides a tangible sense of the monthly burden. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 193 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Horsham compared to the UK average. This statistic is particularly significant when viewed against the broader population context: 785 crimes reported across a population of over 150,000 residents translates to a crime rate that is not only 35% below the UK average but also suggests a level of safety that may be uncommon for a mid-sized local authority. The comparison to the UK average highlights Horsham’s distinct position in the national crime profile, where property crimes such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are lower than the national figures. For example, anti-social behaviour in Horsham (0.8 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), while criminal damage and arson (0.4 per 1,000) are 33% below the UK figure (0.6 per 1,000). These disparities may be attributed to local characteristics such as a strong community presence, effective policing, or the absence of high-risk areas typically associated with higher crime rates. However, the sharp rise in robbery incidents in September introduces a new variable that could shift this comparative advantage in future months.