Horsham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s crime mix in January 2024 reveals a combination of violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences making up nearly 40% of all incidents, significantly below the UK average. This balance suggests a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where community dynamics may influence crime patterns. The overall crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents, 23% below the UK average, indicates a safer environment compared to national trends, though localised spikes in certain categories warrant attention. Property crimes, including shoplifting (17.2% of total) and burglary (4.1%), are present but not dominant, possibly reflecting reduced retail activity in January’s post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, while high in proportion, remain below UK rates, linked to effective local policing or community cohesion. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, colder weather, and lower outdoor footfall—may contribute to fewer property crimes but could also drive indoor disputes. This crime profile illustrates a place where targeted interventions in areas like shoplifting and weapons possession could yield significant improvements without overhauling broader public safety strategies.

January 2024 saw sharp increases in possession of weapons (+300%), burglary (+200%), and drug-related crimes (+80%), while theft from the person and bicycle theft fell by 80% and 75% respectively. This shift in crime mix highlights a move away from property-focused incidents towards more personal and public safety concerns. Violence and sexual offences (39.2% of total crimes) remain the most common category, but their rate (2.2 per 1,000) is 15% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may mitigate some violent crime risks. Conversely, shoplifting (1.0 per 1,000) is 75% above the UK average, a stark contrast that may reflect the area’s retail presence despite reduced January footfall. Vehicle crime, typically a concern in commuter areas, fell 48.6% month-on-month, linked to shorter days and fewer outdoor activities. These fluctuations underscore the need for tailored responses to specific crime trends rather than broad assumptions.

Horsham’s crime rate for January 2024 (5.7 per 1,000 residents) reflects a 2.9% increase compared to December’s 5.5 per 1,000, though it remains 23% below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 10 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the local rhythm of crime in a built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 176 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in a population of 51,957. This suggests that while crime is present, it is not pervasive enough to dominate daily life. The slight rise in overall rate may partly reflect seasonal factors, such as colder weather driving more indoor interactions and potential disputes. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Horsham’s crime picture is distinct from both UK-wide trends and its own historical patterns, with specific categories like shoplifting and weapons possession standing out in the breakdown.