Southwater Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Southwater's built-up area within Horsham recorded 25 crimes in January 2024, equating to a crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents—70.3% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national figures positions Southwater as one of the safest areas in the country, though the low crime volume must be contextualised within the area's character. As a relatively small, possibly commuter-oriented or residential suburb, Southwater's crime profile reflects a mix of low-level incidents and a focus on violent crimes, which accounted for 52% of all recorded offences. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 13 incidents, followed by public order (4) and vehicle crime (3). The seasonal context of January—post-holiday lull, shorter days, and reduced retail footfall—may partly explain the low overall rate, though the prominence of violent crimes suggests factors such as local demographics or community dynamics. Property crimes, while present, were minimal (4 incidents), a figure that is 80% below the UK average for anti-social behaviour and 40% below for vehicle crime. These patterns align with the characteristics of a small built-up area where community policing and low population density may contribute to the suppression of property-related offences, though the higher proportion of violent crimes could indicate challenges in addressing local tensions or vulnerabilities.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 300% increase in public order offences, rising from one to four incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened community activity or targeted policing efforts in the area. Conversely, other theft crimes fell by 66.7%, from three to one, suggesting a possible reduction in opportunistic theft or improved security measures. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 52% of all incidents, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents—54% below the UK average for this category. Possession of weapons rose by 100%, with one incident recorded compared to zero in the previous month, a figure that is 43% above the UK average for this category. These shifts in crime mix highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, with violent crimes dominating despite a broader trend of declining overall rates.

Southwater's crime rate in January 2024 stood at 2.2 per 1,000 residents, a 26.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000. This decline suggests a continued trend of lower crime activity, though the absolute number of crimes remains low. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 453 residents, reflecting a monthly exposure that is significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, Southwater recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. When scaled to the area's population of 11,332, the 25 reported crimes equate to a rate that is 70.3% below the UK average, highlighting the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. This population-scaled perspective underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or community factors that may contribute to sustained low crime levels, though can be established from the data alone.