Horsham Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Horsham’s crime rate in October 2024 stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 25.9% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This performance, though consistent with Horsham’s generally low crime profile, was marked by unexpected fluctuations in specific crime types. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 29.5% of all reported incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and shoplifting (16.4%). The seasonal context of October—darker evenings and Halloween—may have influenced patterns of criminal activity, particularly in public spaces. However, the most striking anomaly was the sharp increase in burglary, which jumped from one to six incidents—a 500% rise that defies the area’s usual trend of property crime remaining below UK averages. This spike could be linked to factors such as increased home occupancy during the holiday season or targeted activity in specific neighbourhoods. Conversely, shoplifting, while 39% above the UK average, highlights Horsham’s role as a retail hub, which may attract theft from high-street premises. The balance between violent and property crime also shifted slightly, with property crime (including shoplifting and burglary) making up 32.7% of all incidents, compared to 29.5% for violent crime. This suggests that while personal safety remains a priority, the retail sector may require additional safeguards. The overall rate, however, remains a testament to Horsham’s relatively safe environment, a trend that has persisted despite the October anomalies. The area’s low crime profile, combined with the UK-wide seasonal fluctuations, underscores the importance of monitoring both local and national patterns to ensure sustained safety.

October 2024 saw a dramatic 500% increase in burglary, rising from one to six incidents—a stark deviation from the previous month’s trend. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain the overall 6.8% rise in the area’s crime rate. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained a persistent issue, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents, 39% above the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This discrepancy could be linked to Horsham’s retail presence, which may attract opportunistic theft. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 60%, falling from 10 to four incidents—a decline that may reflect seasonal changes, such as reduced foot traffic during darker evenings. The mix of crime types also shifted: while violent crime (29.5% of total) and anti-social behaviour (18.6%) remained dominant, property crime (including shoplifting and burglary) accounted for 32.7% of all reported incidents. Residents may find the 39% above-average rate for shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a need for enhanced retail security measures.

Horsham’s crime rate in October 2024 rose by 6.8% compared to September, moving from 5.6 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area’s overall 25.9% below the UK average. On a daily basis, Horsham recorded roughly 10 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 167 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low compared to national averages, highlights the importance of consistent community policing. The population context further underscores the significance of these numbers: with 51,957 residents, even small shifts in crime rates can represent meaningful changes in absolute terms. For instance, the 500% increase in burglary from one to six incidents in October reflects a significant localised spike, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in specific areas or times of day. This figure, when viewed alongside the broader trend of property crime remaining relatively low, indicates that targeted interventions may be necessary to address emerging risks.