Horsham Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents in December 2024, placing it 22.5% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the area's character as a historically significant market town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where community engagement and local policing likely contribute to lower overall crime rates. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.9% of all reported crimes, followed by shoplifting (18.1%) and anti-social behaviour (12.9%). The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and holiday-related absences—may have influenced patterns, though the area's lower property crime rates compared to the UK average suggest effective community initiatives or environmental factors. Shoplifting rates in Horsham were 75% above the UK average, potentially linked to high street retail activity and festive spending, while violent crime rates were 34% below the national figure. This contrast highlights the combination of local demographics, economic activity, and policing strategies in shaping crime profiles.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in possession of weapons (200% rise from 3 to 9 incidents) and robbery (100% increase from 1 to 2), suggesting potential shifts in criminal activity during the holiday season. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), possibly due to reduced outdoor activity during colder weather. The crime mix shifted significantly: while property crimes (121 incidents) remained prominent, violent crimes (89 incidents) accounted for a larger share of the total than usual, reflecting a 34% deficit compared to the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Shoplifting, at 1.0 per 1,000 residents, was 75% higher than the UK average, indicating a need for targeted retail security measures. Residents may find the 18.1% share of shoplifting incidents particularly relevant, as it underscores vulnerabilities in high-street retail during peak spending periods.

Horsham's crime rate in December 2024 (5.5 per 1,000) marked an 11.9% decline from the previous month's rate of 6.3 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 9 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that appears relatively low when compared to the UK's overall crime context. Monthly exposure calculations show that over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for every 180 residents, a ratio that suggests a manageable level of risk for the area's 51,957 population. This context is particularly meaningful for residents, as it indicates that the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life remains lower than the national average. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies, especially in reducing property crimes, which were 35% below the UK average for burglary and 44% below for other theft. These figures, combined with the 22.5% deficit in overall crime rates, position Horsham as a safer area relative to the UK, despite the notable exception of shoplifting rates being 75% higher than the national average.