Southwater Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Southwater's overall crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents in September 2025 is 60.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark deviation from national trends highlights the area's unusually low levels of criminal activity, a pattern consistent with its status as a built-up area within Horsham—a region historically characterised by lower population density and strong community cohesion. The breakdown reveals that anti-social behaviour constitutes the largest single category, accounting for 33.3% of all reported crimes (11 incidents), followed by violence and sexual offences (21.2%) and public order offences (18.2%). These figures suggest a focus on low-level, community-based issues rather than more severe crimes. Seasonal factors in September, such as the return to school and university freshers' week, may contribute to increased social interactions, potentially explaining the prominence of anti-social behaviour. However, the absence of significant property crime—only 5 incidents compared to 7 violent crimes—contrasts with typical urban patterns, where property crime often dominates. The area's compact, built-up nature may limit opportunities for burglary or vehicle crime, while its proximity to Horsham's amenities could encourage informal socialising, aligning with the anti-social behaviour figures. These dynamics illustrate how local geography and social rhythms shape crime profiles distinct from national averages.

September 2025 saw a dramatic 175% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 4 to 11 incidents—a surge that dwarfs all other category changes. This jump, combined with a 100% rise in both public order offences and 'other crime' (from 0 to 2), suggests a shift in crime patterns that may reflect seasonal pressures. Anti-social behaviour in Southwater remains 15% below the UK average (1.0 vs 1.2 per 1,000), indicating that while the category has grown, its rate remains relatively low. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 40% (from 5 to 3), possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity as nights lengthen. The only category above the UK average was 'other crime', which rose to 2.5 times the national rate (0.2 vs 0.2 per 1,000). This anomaly may warrant closer scrutiny, though no direct causal link can be established from the data alone. Residents might find the 100% increase in public order offences particularly notable, as it suggests a potential need for community engagement initiatives during peak social periods.

Southwater's crime rate in September 2025 (2.9 per 1,000) marks a 13.7% increase from the previous month's 2.6 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. This translates to roughly 1 reported crime per day across the area's 11,332 residents, a figure that underscores the town's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 343 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low, even when compared to other built-up areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Southwater's crime levels are so far below the UK average that they would require a substantial shift in local dynamics to approach national norms. For context, the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000 equates to 1 in 135 residents experiencing a crime each month, highlighting the stark contrast with Southwater's 1 in 343 figure. This disparity may reflect the area's compact size, strong community networks, or effective local policing strategies. The 13.7% month-on-month increase, while notable, remains within a range that does not suggest an emerging trend, given the area's consistently low crime profile.