Horsham Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 saw an unexpected surge in drug-related crimes in Horsham, a local authority district with a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents—46.9% below the UK average of 8.1. This rise, which increased by 93.3% from September, stands out as the most surprising development in the month's data. While the overall crime rate remained low, the shift in drug-related offences raises questions about local factors that may have contributed to this change. Seasonal factors such as the end of the working week, darker evenings, and Halloween likely played a role. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 29.5% of all incidents, but at a rate of 1.3 per 1,000—51% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed, with both categories also significantly below national benchmarks. The data suggests that Horsham's relatively low crime profile is maintained through a combination of community policing, economic stability, and the area's character as a mix of rural and urban spaces. The seasonal context of October, with its shorter days and increased social activity, may have influenced the mix of crimes reported. The consistency of lower-than-average rates across most categories indicates that local strategies are likely contributing to this outcome, even as specific areas like drug-related offences see temporary fluctuations.

The most striking shift in October 2024 was the 93.3% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 15 to 29 incidents. This surge, while small in absolute terms, contrasts with the overall stability in other categories. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 27.1%, from 85 to 108 cases, indicating a possible link to seasonal factors such as Halloween or the transition to darker evenings. Conversely, several categories saw declines: possession of weapons fell by 61.5%, robbery dropped by 57.1%, and other crime decreased by 47.1%. These reductions may reflect effective policing in targeted areas or changes in community activity. Vehicle crime in Horsham remains exceptionally low, at 0.1 per 1,000, a figure 79% below the UK average. This suggests that local measures—such as secure parking or traffic management—may be contributing to this trend. Residents might find the 21 daily crimes figure useful for understanding the frequency of incidents in their area, though this remains well below national benchmarks.

Horsham's crime rate in October 2024 rose by 3.6% compared to September, moving from 4.1 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. While this is a modest increase, the rate remains 46.9% below the UK average of 8.1. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local population density and distribution of services. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 235 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents within the community. This monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, which is not provided here, but aligns with Horsham's consistently lower crime profile. The increase in October may be attributed to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween without further data. The population context also suggests that the area's crime management strategies, including local policing and community engagement, may be contributing to sustained low levels despite the small upward trend.