Horsham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 4.7 per 1,000, marking a 41.2% deficit compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This positions the area as one of the safest in the country, with violent crimes (violence and sexual offences) contributing 34.6% of total incidents. These offences, at 1.6 per 1,000, are 42% below the UK average, likely reflecting Horsham’s character as a largely rural area with lower population density and fewer high-risk environments. Public order offences (12.2% of total) and other theft (9.4%) followed closely, with both categories also significantly underperforming against national benchmarks. Seasonal factors may have played a role: May’s extended evenings and bank holidays could have driven increased outdoor drinking and socialising, influencing public order incidents. However, the area’s overall safety profile remains robust, with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage rates 70% and 35% below the UK average, respectively. The contrast with the UK is stark, particularly in categories like burglary (3.3% of total) and shoplifting (4.5% of total), which are 35% and 59% below national levels. This suggests that Horsham’s low crime rate is not merely a statistical anomaly but a reflection of its geographical and demographic profile, where community cohesion and limited urban density may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, including a 500% rise in possession of weapons (from 1 to 6 cases) and a 240% surge in vehicle crime (from 5 to 17). These spikes contrast with declines in theft from the person (-66.7%) and shoplifting (-31.3%). The breakdown reveals a shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes (violence and sexual offences, public order) accounting for 46.8% of total incidents, compared to property crimes (vehicle, burglary, shoplifting) at 33.7%. Violence and sexual offences in Horsham are 42% below the UK average, while possession of weapons is 43% above. This divergence highlights localized patterns, with the latter likely linked to increased socialising during May’s longer evenings. Residents may find the 66.7% drop in theft from the person particularly reassuring, though the rise in weapon-related incidents warrants attention.

Horsham’s crime rate in May 2023 rose by 21.0% compared to April’s 3.9 per 1,000, reaching 4.7 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 8 crimes reported daily, or one crime for every 211 residents over the month. The population context shows that, despite the increase, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average. For residents, this means a crime is less likely to occur in their immediate vicinity than in most parts of the country. However, the rise in certain categories—such as possession of weapons, which surged by 500%—suggests localized shifts in criminal activity. The daily crime count, while relatively low, underscores the need for vigilance during periods of increased social activity, such as May’s extended evenings and bank holidays. These factors may contribute to a slight uptick in incidents, though the overall rate remains well below national levels.