Horsham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s built-up area reported a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, placing it 23.9% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure reflects a consistently lower crime burden compared to national trends, though specific patterns emerge when breaking down the data. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 33.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (23.0%) and shoplifting (11.2%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributes to the overall lower crime rate, particularly in property-related offences. However, the data also reveals a sharp imbalance in certain categories: theft from the person, while small in volume, saw a dramatic increase, suggesting potential gaps in public safety measures. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour’s rise may be tied to the social dynamics of a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. The UK-wide comparison further highlights Horsham’s strengths in areas like burglary and vehicle crime, which were 67% and 77% below the national average, respectively. These outcomes may be influenced by the area’s character as a relatively stable, low-density urban environment, where community engagement and policing efforts could play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. However, the spike in theft from the person and anti-social behaviour underscores the need for targeted interventions in these specific domains.

The most striking shift in February 2024 was the 600% surge in theft from the person, rising from one to seven incidents. This spike, while small in absolute terms, underscores a potential vulnerability in personal security during colder months. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour increased by 113.3%, with incidents jumping from 30 to 64—a trend that may reflect the impact of extended indoor gatherings or seasonal social dynamics. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime both dropped by two-thirds, likely influenced by reduced foot traffic and vehicle movement during winter. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 33.8% of all crimes, though they were 28% below the UK average. This contrast with the UK-wide rate highlights Horsham’s unique crime profile, where property crime is lower than in many other areas.

Horsham’s crime rate in February 2024 fell by 6.1% compared to January, dropping from 5.7 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends, as February typically sees lower outdoor activity and fewer social events in this built-up area. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 10 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than many comparable urban centres. The population-scaled perspective highlights Horsham’s relative safety, particularly when considering the sharp declines in burglary and vehicle crime. These reductions may reflect increased awareness during the winter months or adjustments in local policing strategies from the data alone.