Horsham Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s crime profile in June 2024 continued to show a marked divergence from national trends, with the local authority district recording a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents — 36.6% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This consistent underperformance relative to the UK benchmark underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or demographic factors that may suppress crime in this area. The most prevalent category of crime was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 32.8% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.9% and shoplifting at 10.0%. These figures align with patterns seen in other commuter towns and market centres, where retail-focused crimes and interpersonal disputes are more common than in densely populated urban hubs. Seasonal factors may have played a role in shaping these trends: June marks the beginning of the summer season, a time when tourism in nearby coastal areas typically increases, though Horsham itself is not a major tourist destination. The relatively low rate of burglary — 2.6% of all crimes — further supports the hypothesis that this is a largely residential, low-density area with limited commercial zones that might otherwise attract opportunistic theft. While violence remains the most significant category, the proportion of violent crimes compared to property crimes (58% vs 42%) is slightly lower than the UK average, suggesting that Horsham’s social fabric may be more stable than the national picture implies. This stability could be attributed to a strong sense of community, effective local policing, or simply the demographic makeup of the area, which may include a higher proportion of older residents or families who are less likely to report minor incidents.

June 2024 saw several notable shifts in Horsham’s crime profile. The most significant positive development was a 39.4% decrease in burglary, with reported incidents dropping from 33 to 20. This decline, though modest in absolute terms, is consistent with broader trends in areas where community policing initiatives and improved street lighting have been implemented. Similarly, other crime fell by 46.2% (from 13 to 7), potentially reflecting increased awareness of reporting procedures or a genuine reduction in low-level disorder. Conversely, three categories experienced notable increases: robbery rose by 66.7% (3 to 5), bicycle theft increased by 66.7% (6 to 10), and theft from the person climbed by 60.0% (5 to 8). These upward trends may be linked to seasonal factors — longer daylight hours and warmer weather could encourage more outdoor activity, increasing opportunities for theft. Bicycle theft in Horsham is now 11% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000), a rare outlier among the district’s crime categories. The contrast between these increases and the overall decline in crime is intriguing, suggesting that while some areas of the district are becoming safer, others may require targeted interventions. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category, remained 38% below the UK average (1.7 vs 2.8 per 1,000), a performance that would be of interest to local authorities seeking to replicate Horsham’s success in reducing serious crime.

Horsham’s crime rate in June 2024 was 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 7.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000. This decline, though small, suggests a stabilising trend after a slight uptick in May. On a daily basis, Horsham experienced an average of 26 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within the local population of 151,521 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 194 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. When compared to the UK average, Horsham’s performance across several categories is striking: violent crime rates are 38% below the national average, anti-social behaviour is 36% lower, and shoplifting is 19% below the UK benchmark. These figures collectively suggest that Horsham may have a unique combination of environmental and social factors that contribute to its lower crime rates. The district’s relatively low levels of public order offences — 51 incidents, or 6.5 per 1,000 — further reinforce the idea that this is a community where disorder is less prevalent than in many other parts of the country. While the absolute number of crimes may appear concerning, the local context and demographic profile of Horsham mean that these figures should be interpreted with care, particularly when compared to larger, more densely populated areas where crime rates are naturally higher.