Southwater Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Southwater, a built-up area within Horsham, recorded 29 crimes across a population of 11,332, equating to a crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 61.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting Southwater's comparatively low level of criminal activity. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.5% of total incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime at 17.2% each. These statistics align with the area's likely character as a relatively quiet, low-density built-up zone, where post-holiday seasonal patterns—such as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—may contribute to the observed crime profile. For instance, the lower incidence of shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.6 per 1,000) could be attributed to fewer visitors and a more tightly knit local community, which may deter opportunistic theft. Meanwhile, the slight elevation in vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.4 per 1,000) suggests a possible link to local infrastructure, such as commuter parking areas or vehicle density, though this remains consistent with national figures. The seasonal context of January—marked by colder weather, post-holiday lulls, and reduced outdoor activity—may also explain the lower overall crime rate, as many crimes are influenced by environmental and social factors that shift with the time of year. This includes a notable decrease in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 57.1% compared to December, reflecting reduced opportunities for such crimes during the winter months.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with public order offences doubling from zero to two incidents, marking a 100% increase. Similarly, burglary and drugs-related crimes each rose by 100% compared to the previous month, though these remain rare occurrences given the overall low crime rate. These increases contrast with a 57.1% decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell from seven to three incidents—a drop that may reflect seasonal patterns or targeted interventions. The crime mix also reveals a balance between property and violent crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.5% of total incidents. Vehicle crime in Southwater (0.4 per 1,000) slightly exceeds the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), suggesting a localised factor such as commuter parking or vehicle density may contribute to this slight discrepancy. Residents may find the stability in overall crime rates reassuring, even as specific categories fluctuate.

Southwater's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 2.6 per 1,000 residents, matching the same figure recorded in the previous month. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local crime patterns, though seasonal factors may still influence specific types of incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 391 residents during the month. When scaled to the population of 11,332, this rate underscores the relatively low frequency of criminal activity compared to the UK average. While the daily crime count may seem abstract, the monthly exposure metric provides a more tangible perspective: over the course of January, each resident had a 1-in-391 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime. This statistic, while not predictive of individual risk, offers context for community preparedness and resource allocation.