Southwater Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Southwater’s crime profile in August 2023 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes, with the former dominating the overall rate. At 2.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate is 66.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000—a stark contrast to national trends. Violent crimes, particularly those involving sexual offences, accounted for 46.7% of all reported incidents, while property crimes made up just 20%. This divergence may reflect local dynamics, such as the area’s role as a commuter hub within Horsham, where transient populations and limited nightlife could reduce property crime risk but leave residents exposed to interpersonal conflicts. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category, contributing 26.7% of total crimes, a figure 51% below the UK average. Seasonal factors may also play a role: August, a peak holiday month, could have increased foot traffic in local amenities, contributing to anti-social incidents. Meanwhile, the low rate of shoplifting (3.3% of total crimes) and other theft (6.7%) suggests that retail spaces may be well-secured or less frequented by transient visitors. The area’s overall safety—though not immune to violent crime—positions it as one of the UK’s lowest-risk built-up areas, though this balance merits closer examination in future reports.

August 2023 marked a significant shift in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 33.3% compared to July, reaching 8 incidents—still 51% below the UK average. Concurrently, violent crimes rose by 7.7% to 14 cases, though this remains 55% lower than the UK rate for violence and sexual offences. A notable anomaly was the 100% increase in 'other crime' (from 0 to 1), a category that may include unclassified incidents or emerging issues. Public order offences, however, fell sharply by 83.3%, from 6 to 1, a drop that could reflect seasonal changes in community activity or targeted policing efforts. The property crime rate—6 incidents—remained low, with shoplifting and other theft each contributing just 3.3% of total crimes, far below UK averages of 83% and 68% respectively. This contrast suggests that Southwater’s built-up environment may have effective security measures for retail spaces, though the higher proportion of violent crime raises questions about local factors. For residents, the most immediate insight is that anti-social behaviour remains a growing concern, even as overall safety metrics remain strong relative to national benchmarks.

Southwater’s crime rate in August 2023 fell by 37.5% compared to July’s 4.2 per 1,000, reflecting a marked improvement in local safety. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day—equivalent to roughly 1 in 378 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low, underscores the importance of consistent community engagement and policing to maintain such figures. With a population of 11,332, the area’s small scale likely amplifies the impact of individual incidents, making crime prevention efforts both more targeted and potentially more effective. The drop in criminal damage and arson (70% decrease) and public order offences (83% decrease) aligns with August’s seasonal context: warmer weather and holiday activity may have reduced opportunities for vandalism, while increased police presence during peak tourist periods could have deterred public disorder. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and violence highlights the need for tailored interventions, particularly in areas with high transient populations. The UK-wide context further reinforces Southwater’s relative safety, with its violent crime rate remaining 55% below the national average—a gap that suggests local factors such as community cohesion or infrastructure design are playing a role.