Southwater Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Southwater, a built-up area within Horsham, recorded 25 crimes in January 2025, equating to a crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 69% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a significantly safer environment compared to the national context. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (11 incidents, 44% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (4 incidents, 16%), and anti-social behaviour (4 incidents, 16%). These patterns align with January’s seasonal context: a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall, shorter daylight hours, and lower outdoor activity, which may contribute to the relatively low overall crime rate. Violence and sexual offences, though the most frequent category, remain 60% below the UK average, suggesting local factors—such as community cohesion or policing strategies—may mitigate risks. Property crimes, which include burglary and vehicle crime, accounted for 36% of all incidents but showed mixed trends: burglary rose sharply by 100%, while vehicle crime fell by two-thirds. This divergence highlights the complexity of crime dynamics in smaller built-up areas, where localized events or environmental changes can drive fluctuations. The low overall rate, combined with the absence of major spikes in property crime (except for burglary), indicates that Southwater’s residents face a crime environment that is less intense than the UK average, though vigilance remains necessary for specific categories like burglary. The area’s character as a smaller, likely residential and commercial hub may further explain its lower crime rates compared to larger urban centres, where higher population density and foot traffic typically correlate with increased incidents.

January 2025 saw a 100% increase in burglary and drug-related crimes, both rising from zero to one incident. This shift may reflect seasonal transitions, with colder weather potentially driving indoor activities linked to drug use. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 66.7%, a stark contrast to the previous month’s three incidents. This decrease could be attributed to reduced traffic during the post-holiday period. Violent crimes, which accounted for 44% of all reported incidents, remained 60% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 33.3%, from six to four incidents, linked to shorter days and fewer public gatherings. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime in Southwater, where local factors such as community events or weather patterns may influence trends. For residents, the sharp rise in burglary—a crime type typically associated with urban centres—suggests the need for continued vigilance in securing properties during colder months.

Southwater’s crime rate in January 2025 dropped to 2.2 per 1,000 residents, a 24.1% decrease from the previous month’s 2.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical post-holiday patterns, where reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may limit opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one reported crime per day, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 453 residents. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which stands at 7.1 per 1,000. For context, Southwater’s population of 11,332 means that the 25 total crimes reported in January represent a relatively small proportion of the community’s daily interactions. The monthly exposure figure underscores the low frequency of crime in this built-up area, which contrasts sharply with the national average. These statistics suggest that Southwater’s residents face a much lower risk of encountering crime compared to the broader UK population, though localized factors such as community engagement and local policing strategies may contribute to this trend.