Southwater Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Southwater

Southwater, a built-up area with a population of 11,332 residents, demonstrates a remarkably low overall crime rate of 34.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is substantially lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Southwater as a very safe community. The area's safety is further underscored by its impressive safety score of 92 out of 100, significantly surpassing the national average of 78. While the crime rate remains low, Southwater has experienced an increasing trend, with a 5.4% rise year-over-year. These statistics provide an overview of the local crime landscape, highlighting its exceptional safety while noting a recent upward shift in crime levels.

Crime Breakdown in Southwater

An analysis of crime types in Southwater reveals Violence and sexual offences as the most frequent category, with 152 incidents, accounting for 13.4 per 1,000 residents and a significant 38.7% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 66 crimes (5.8 per 1,000, 16.8% of total), impacting community peace. Criminal damage and arson rank third, with 54 incidents (4.8 per 1,000, 13.7% of total), indicating a focus on property-related harm.

Southwater's property crime rate stands at a very low 11.0 per 1,000 people per year, considerably below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes Burglary (7 crimes, 0.6 per 1,000), Other theft (27 crimes, 2.4 per 1,000), Vehicle crime (23 crimes, 2.0 per 1,000), Criminal damage and arson (54 crimes, 4.8 per 1,000), Bicycle theft (1 crime, 0.1 per 1,000), and Theft from the person (1 crime, 0.1 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures indicate a very low risk of property-related offences, although awareness of criminal damage and other theft remains sensible.

Crime Trends in Southwater

Southwater has experienced an increasing crime trend, with a 5.4% rise in total crimes year-over-year. This indicates a slight upward shift in crime activity over the past twelve months. Examining the monthly trend data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 3.4 in October 2024 and dipping to 2.2 in both January and February 2025. A notable increase occurred in March 2025 (3.9), followed by fluctuations, with the rate settling at 2.9 in September 2025. While the overall trend is increasing, the monthly figures show some variability rather than a consistent upward trajectory. For residents, this upward trend, though from a low base, suggests a need for continued vigilance and awareness regarding local crime developments.

Time Patterns of Crime in Southwater

An examination of crime patterns throughout the day in Southwater BUA reveals distinct trends. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant crime type at 44%, followed by vehicle crime at 19% and burglary at 5%, as residents commute and commercial areas open. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees an increase in theft to 53% and burglary to 10%, likely due to heightened activity in public and retail spaces. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes become most prevalent at 51%, with vehicle crime at 20% and theft at 19%, reflecting social activities. Night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a significant rise in vehicle crime to 47% and 'other' crimes to 34%, with burglary at 10%, suggesting a focus on unattended properties.

Crime in Nearby Areas

To understand Southwater's crime landscape in a regional context, comparisons can be drawn with nearby built-up areas such as Tower Hill, Barns Green, Brooks Green, and Itchingfield. These areas, all within the Horsham local authority, offer diverse characteristics for comparison. Southwater's remarkably low crime rate and high safety score stand out against many, even within relatively safe districts. Barns Green and Brooks Green, being smaller settlements, may share similar community-focused crime patterns. Itchingfield, another nearby village, would also provide a useful benchmark. These comparisons help residents gauge Southwater's exceptional safety performance relative to its immediate neighbours, highlighting its position as one of the safest communities in the region.

Protecting Your Property in Southwater

Despite Southwater's exceptionally low property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 people, proactive security remains a wise investment. Traditional security solutions, such as basic CCTV, typically only capture footage after a crime has occurred, meaning you have a recording of a burglary rather than a prevention. For true peace of mind and effective deterrence, advanced security systems should be considered.

An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens. It proactively detects threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, monitoring all cameras simultaneously. This allows for real-time intervention, unlike reactive systems that notify you after the event. Features such as autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, eliminate the element of surprise for potential intruders. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; visible and intelligent deterrence from professional-grade equipment like scOS makes them move on, actively safeguarding your property against potential offences.