Southwater Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Southwater's crime profile in September 2023 reveals a striking outlier in the possession of weapons category, which is 186% above the UK average. This anomaly sits within an overall context of extreme low crime, with the area's rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents — 65% below the UK average of 8.0 — reflecting the characteristics of a built-up area within Horsham. The top crime types — violence and sexual offences (31.3%), anti-social behaviour (28.1%), and vehicle crime (9.4%) — align with patterns seen in smaller urban centres where community dynamics and local infrastructure shape crime trends. The seasonal context of September, marked by the return to education and the transition to shorter evenings, may partly explain the distribution of incidents, though the absence of a clear link between these factors and the possession of weapons spike remains unexplained. The relative safety of Southwater compared to national averages suggests a combination of effective local policing, community engagement, and the area's inherent characteristics as a low-density built-up zone. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the unusual spike in weapon possession highlights the need for targeted interventions in this specific category.

September 2023 saw three categories increase by 100% compared to August: burglary, possession of weapons, and bicycle theft. This spike in possession of weapons — rising from 0 to 2 incidents — is particularly noteworthy, as the category is 186% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. In contrast, violence and sexual offences decreased by 28.6%, dropping from 14 to 10 incidents, though they remain 67% below the UK average. The shift in crime mix is also telling: violent crimes (31.3% of total) now outnumber property crimes (28.1%), a reversal of the previous month's balance. Residents may find the daily crime figure of 1 incident per day useful for context, especially as September's seasonal patterns — back-to-school activity and university freshers — may influence local dynamics. The absence of any increase in anti-social behaviour, which remains 40% below the UK average, adds another layer to this month's profile.

Southwater's crime rate in September 2023 rose by 6.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 2.7 to 2.8 per 1,000 residents. This slight upward trend contrasts with the overall low crime profile that has characterised the area for much of the year. Locally, the monthly average translates to approximately one reported crime per day, a figure that reflects the small population of 11,332 residents. Over the course of September, this equated to one crime for every 354 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the community size. While this rate remains far below the UK average, the increase highlights the need for ongoing vigilance. The daily crime context is particularly useful for residents, offering a tangible measure of risk that aligns with local rhythms such as the start of the academic term. This perspective also underscores the relative safety of Southwater compared to larger urban centres, where daily crime rates are typically much higher.