Horsham Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Horsham during March 2023, accounting for 36% of all reported crimes. This category alone registered 67 incidents, a rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. The area’s overall crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents placed it 52.6% below the national average, reflecting a safer environment compared to the UK as a whole. This contrast with the UK’s broader mix of property and violent crime highlights Horsham’s distinct priorities in policing and community safety. Seasonal factors may have played a role, as the transition to spring and the extension of daylight hours could have influenced patterns of public behaviour and crime timing. While violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, public order offences and anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 11.3% and 9.7% respectively. These figures align with the characteristics of a medium-sized market town, where community interactions and local events may drive such incidents. The relatively low levels of property crime—particularly vehicle crime and shoplifting—suggest that Horsham’s built-up area may have fewer high-traffic retail zones or parking areas compared to larger urban centres. However, the slight uptick in bicycle theft (4 incidents) and possession of weapons (4 incidents) indicates areas for continued monitoring, though these remain well below UK averages. The data illustrates a community where violent crime is the primary concern, but where broader crime prevention strategies have contributed to a safer environment than the national average.

March 2023 saw a marked shift in crime mix, with violent crime accounting for 36% of all incidents—substantially higher than property crime’s 23% (63 total property crimes). This contrast with the UK average, where property crime typically dominates, underscores Horsham’s unique profile. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.3 per 1,000 residents, were 53% below the UK average for this category, a stark divergence from national trends. Public order offences also showed a significant gap, with a rate of 0.4 per 1,000 compared to the UK’s 0.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour incidents (18) were 62% below the UK average, suggesting effective local interventions or community engagement strategies. The month-on-month comparison revealed no major spikes in crime, though the dominance of violence and sexual offences may reflect seasonal factors such as the extension of evenings during spring. Residents may find the low rate of vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, as this category is typically higher in areas with more commuter traffic. However, the slight increase in bicycle theft compared to the UK average (43% above) hints at potential vulnerabilities in securing personal property in Horsham’s built-up area.

Horsham’s crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents in March 2023 translated to approximately 6 crimes reported per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area’s relative safety compared to the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 279 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the national average. This statistic, when contextualised with Horsham’s population of 51,957, suggests that residents face a lower likelihood of encountering crime than the typical UK resident. The daily crime context highlights the importance of local policing and community initiatives in maintaining this low rate, particularly in a built-up area where population density might otherwise contribute to higher crime rates. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates that Horsham’s crime prevention strategies have effectively reduced the risk per capita, even as violent crime remains the dominant category. While the UK’s overall crime rate includes higher volumes of property crime and burglary, Horsham’s data shows a focus on addressing violent and public order issues with notable success. This contrast may be influenced by the town’s character as a market town with strong community ties, where localised efforts to manage public spaces and prevent anti-social behaviour have yielded measurable results.