Southwater Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

February 2025 revealed an unexpected surge in shoplifting that defied the area's generally low crime profile, marking the most surprising finding of the month. Southwater's overall crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents was 67.2% below the UK average, a stark contrast to national trends. The crime profile was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 44% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20%) and criminal damage (16%). This skewed distribution suggests a unique local dynamic, possibly influenced by the area's character as a built-up district within Horsham. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to the lower overall crime rate, though the sharp increase in shoplifting remains unexplained by typical seasonal patterns. Violent crimes were 57% below the UK average for this category, and anti-social behaviour was 59% below the national rate, reinforcing Southwater's position as an area with significantly lower levels of these crime types. The data also shows that property crimes, which made up 32% of total incidents, remained well below UK averages for shoplifting (35% below) and criminal damage (17% below). These figures, combined with the area's low population density and likely lower foot traffic, suggest that Southwater's crime picture is shaped by factors distinct from larger urban centres. The absence of significant increases in other crime categories, coupled with the stable overall rate compared to the previous month, indicates that local conditions have maintained a consistent level of safety despite the unexpected rise in shoplifting.

The most striking development in February 2025 was the 100% increase in shoplifting, which rose from zero to four incidents. This unexpected surge contrasts with the generally low crime environment in Southwater and may reflect seasonal patterns or changes in retail activity. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 25% increase, rising from four to five incidents, though it remains significantly below the UK average. Violent crimes, which accounted for 44% of all reported incidents, were 57% below the UK average for this category. This stark contrast with national trends highlights the area's unique safety profile. The breakdown of crime types shows a marked imbalance, with violent crimes far outpacing property crimes. For residents, the 100% rise in shoplifting is a specific data point that may warrant attention from local retailers or community groups. The overall crime mix remains heavily skewed towards violent offences, which is consistent with the area's low population density and likely lower foot traffic compared to larger urban centres.

Southwater's crime rate in February 2025 remained stable compared to the previous month, with no change in the overall rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests that local conditions and policing efforts have maintained a steady level of safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that aligns with the low overall rate. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 453 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides a practical context for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime remains relatively low. While the daily crime count is a local metric with no direct UK-wide equivalent, the population-scaled perspective reinforces that Southwater's crime profile continues to diverge significantly from national averages, with crime rates remaining lower than the UK average. This stability in the face of seasonal factors, such as the pre-spring lull typical of February, may partly explain the sustained low levels of reported crime.