Barcombe Cross Crime Rate

Barcombe Cross Crime Statistics

Barcombe Cross is a notably safe Sussex settlement, holding a high safety score of 93/100. The area's overall crime rate is 29.9 per 1,000 people per year, which is substantially lower than the UK national average of 93.1. In a positive trend for the community, crime in Barcombe Cross is decreasing, with an 8.2% reduction in reported incidents year-over-year. This downward trajectory makes the village an increasingly secure place to live. While personal and social offences form the bulk of reports, property crime remains minimal. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly fluctuations, and temporal patterns to help Barcombe Cross residents understand and maintain their local safety.

Crime in Barcombe Cross

The crime landscape in Barcombe Cross is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and public order offences. Violence and sexual offences are the most common, representing 37.3% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour follows at 17.9%, while public order offences account for 11.9%.

Property-related crime in Barcombe Cross—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 8.0 per 1,000 people. This is remarkably low compared to the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, burglary accounts for 9.0% of total crime, and vehicle crime represents 6.0%. For residents, this indicates that while personal and social nuisance offences are more frequent, the risk of serious property loss is relatively small. However, the data shows that burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur during the evening and night, suggesting that homeowners should focus their security efforts on overnight protection to mitigate these specific risks. overall, Barcombe Cross remains a very safe and secure environment for its population.

Barcombe Cross Crime Trends

Barcombe Cross is currently experiencing a positive trend in its safety profile, with an 8.2% decrease in total crime year-over-year. This reduction is a welcome contrast to the national trend and highlights the village's increasing security. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents was lowest in December 2024 and January 2025, both recording just 0.9.

There was a noticeable increase in activity during the spring and summer months, with rates reaching 4.0 in both February and August 2025. However, the overall trajectory has remained lower than in previous years. The most recent data from October 2025 shows a rate of 3.1, which is consistent with the village's stable and safe character. For residents, this decreasing trend reinforces Barcombe Cross's reputation as a secure and peaceful place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Barcombe Cross

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Barcombe Cross, accounting for 37.3% of all reported incidents. While the village is very safe, awareness and simple precautions are always beneficial.

1. Secure Vehicles Overnight: Vehicle crime accounts for 42% of night-time offences. Ensure all valuables are removed from your car and that it is parked in a well-lit area or a locked garage if possible.
2. Night-time Home Security: Burglary is most frequent in the evening and night. Double-check all door and window locks before bed and consider using a smart security system for 24/7 monitoring.
3. Report Anti-social Behaviour: ASB makes up 17.9% of reports. Reporting these incidents to the local council or police helps prevent them from escalating into more serious offences.
4. Stay Aware in the Evenings: When walking home late, stay on well-lit paths and avoid using headphones, which can reduce your awareness of your surroundings.
5. Protect Your Outbuildings: Sheds and garages can be targets for 'other theft'. Ensure these are fitted with high-quality locks and consider an alarm system that covers the entire property perimeter.

Crime Timing in Barcombe Cross

Crime in Barcombe Cross follows a clear temporal shift from theft during the day to property-focused offences at night. During the morning and afternoon, theft accounts for 45% and 46% of incidents respectively. This aligns with the village's most active hours when opportunistic crime is more likely.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the risk to residential property and vehicles increases sharply. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for a significant 42% of all offences, while burglary represents 40%. This night-time spike in property crime is a key finding for residents, suggesting that parked cars and quiet homes are the primary targets during the overnight hours. Interestingly, burglary is also high in the evening (42%) and afternoon (40%), indicating that unoccupied homes are vulnerable throughout the latter half of the day. Residents should prioritize high-quality overnight security for both their homes and vehicles.

Local Context and Comparisons

Barcombe Cross sits in a very safe regional pocket of the Lewes local authority. Its crime rate of 29.9 per 1,000 people is significantly lower than that of South Chailey (49.9) and Ringmer (70.3). While it cannot match the zero-crime statistics of the tiny rural parishes of Barcombe Mills and Isfield, it is one of the safest established urban settlements in the area. For residents, this means Barcombe Cross offers a highly secure environment that outperforms both the regional and national averages. Its decreasing crime trend further distinguishes it from many neighbouring areas that are currently seeing a rise in reported offences.

Proactive Security in Barcombe Cross

With an 8.2% decrease in crime, Barcombe Cross is becoming even safer, but property crime still requires attention. Burglary and vehicle crime combined represent a significant portion of the village's property offences, with both types peaking during the night-time hours. Traditional security systems, such as standard alarms or recording-only CCTV, often fail because they only alert you after a crime has been committed.

The scOS security operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary. In a quiet village like Barcombe Cross, any unusual activity at night is a clear signal. scOS can identify an intruder and respond autonomously—using lights and sound to deter them—before they can attempt a break-in or target your vehicle. This is especially valuable given that 42% of night-time crime in the area is vehicle-related. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS ensures that your home remains part of Barcombe Cross's positive downward crime trend.