Horsham Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Possession of weapons in Horsham in May 2024 stood at 0.1 per 1,000 residents, 25% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly contrasts with the broader trend of Horsham’s overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000, which is 33.3% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. The district recorded 841 crimes in total, with violence and sexual offences (269 incidents, 32% of total) and anti-social behaviour (159 incidents, 18.9%) as the most prevalent categories. These figures align with Horsham’s character as a mixed urban-rural district with a significant retail and residential presence, where public spaces and social hubs may contribute to anti-social incidents. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and increased outdoor drinking, may partly explain the elevated share of violence and sexual offences compared to other months. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.5 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000) suggests a lower prevalence of opportunistic property crime, reflecting effective local policing or the area’s lower density of high-traffic commercial zones. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.8 per 1,000, yet Horsham’s rate of 1.8 per 1,000 remains 37% below this benchmark, indicating a consistently lower incidence of such crimes compared to national trends.

May 2024 saw a 150% increase in theft from the person, rising from 2 to 5 incidents, a figure that may signal heightened vulnerability during extended evening hours. Vehicle crime surged by 125.9% (27 to 61), potentially linked to increased car usage during May’s warmer weather or shifts in parking patterns. Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 31.6% (19 to 13), a decline that could reflect seasonal changes in substance use or local enforcement efforts. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast in UK comparisons: while anti-social behaviour is 24% below the UK average, possession of weapons is uniquely 25% above, a deviation that may warrant closer attention to local policing strategies. For residents, the 1-in-180 residents figure for monthly exposure to crime provides a tangible context for assessing personal risk. The rise in vehicle crime, in particular, may prompt consideration of improved security measures for parked vehicles in public areas.

Horsham’s crime rate in May 2024 rose by 17.8% compared to April’s 4.7 per 1,000, reflecting a monthly increase of 0.9 per 1,000. This translates to approximately 27 crimes reported per day, a figure that, while lower than the UK average, underscores the need for continued vigilance. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 180 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average of 1 in 120 residents. With a population of 151,521, Horsham’s crime statistics highlight a balance between a relatively safe environment and localized spikes in specific categories. The 17.8% increase from April may be influenced by seasonal factors such as May’s bank holidays and extended daylight hours, which can alter patterns of social activity and public space usage. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the rise in vehicle crime and theft from the person suggests areas for targeted intervention, particularly in parking zones and high-traffic areas.