Balcombe Crime Rate

Balcombe is a highly secure residential area, characterised by a safety score of 90/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79/100. The overall crime rate stands at 43.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is considerably lower than the national average of 91.6. Recent data indicates a slight upward trend in local activity, with a 5.1% increase in total crimes compared to the previous year. Despite this minor rise, Balcombe remains an exceptionally safe environment for its population of 1,879. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and specific time patterns to help residents understand the local safety landscape.

In Balcombe, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.1% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 14.9 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by 'other crime' at 12.2% and anti-social behaviour at 11.0%. While these figures are relatively low in volume, they represent the most frequent interactions with local law enforcement.

Property crime in the village, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 14.9 per 1,000 people. Specifically, burglary represents 8.5% of total crime, while vehicle crime accounts for 4.9%. For residents and homeowners, this suggests that while the overall risk is low compared to national figures, there is a persistent need for vigilance regarding residential security. The combined impact of theft and criminal damage (11.0%) highlights that opportunistic property offences remain a relevant concern for the community.

The crime rate in Balcombe has experienced a 5.1% increase over the last year, indicating a slight rise in local incidents. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals a fluctuating pattern throughout 2025. The year began with a rate of 4.3 per 1,000 in January, followed by a significant peak in March reaching 6.4.

Another notable increase occurred in October, with the rate hitting 5.3. Conversely, the summer months of July and August were exceptionally quiet, recording rates of just 1.6 and 1.1 respectively. These fluctuations suggest that crime in Balcombe is not constant but occurs in clusters. For residents, the data indicates that while the overall environment is safe, certain months see heightened activity that warrants increased personal and property security measures. The general trend suggests that while the village remains a low-crime area, the community should stay vigilant as numbers have moved slightly upwards.

How To Keep Safe in Balcombe

The most prevalent crime in Balcombe is violence and sexual offences. While the overall numbers are low, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in more secluded parts of the village.

1. Use Personal Safety Apps: Consider using apps that share your location with trusted contacts when walking alone during evening hours.
2. Improve Property Lighting: Ensure the approaches to your home are well-lit with motion-activated lighting to deter anti-social behaviour and opportunistic crime.
3. Stay in Well-Lit Areas: When walking at night, stick to main roads and well-lit paths rather than taking shortcuts through unlit rural tracks.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: Active community reporting is vital in small villages; if you see unusual vehicles or individuals loitering, report them to the local non-emergency line.
5. Secure Outbuildings: Given the rural nature of the area, ensure sheds and garages are fitted with high-quality locks, as these are often targets for 'other' crime types.

Crime in Balcombe follows distinct temporal patterns. During the daylight hours (6am to 6pm), theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 36% of all incidents in both the morning and afternoon periods. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur when residents are away at work or during daily business hours.

As the day transitions into evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types become dominant, making up 54% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift, with vehicle crime rising to 27% of the total for that period. Burglary remains a consistent threat throughout the 24-hour cycle but peaks slightly at night (28%). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the night-time hours present a higher risk for vehicle and residential security breaches.

When comparing Balcombe to its immediate neighbours, it sits within a cluster of very safe rural settlements. Ardingly and Handcross report similar crime rates of 37.8 and 35.8 per 1,000 people respectively, placing Balcombe slightly higher in frequency but within the same safety bracket. Notably, nearby Staplefield and Worth Abbey report crime rates of 0.0, highlighting the extremely low-crime nature of this specific part of Mid Sussex. For those considering the region, Balcombe offers a very secure environment that is consistent with the surrounding affluent villages, providing peace of mind for residents and prospective homeowners alike.

With a property crime rate of 14.9 per 1,000 residents, Balcombe is a low-risk area, but the presence of burglary and vehicle crime necessitates professional security. Traditional CCTV systems often fail because they are reactive, merely providing footage of an incident after it has occurred. In a quiet village like Balcombe, the element of surprise is a powerful deterrent. scOS offers proactive protection by using AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it identifies threats like unknown vehicles or suspicious movement and can activate autonomous responses such as lights and speakers to deter intruders before they attempt a break-in. For homeowners in Balcombe, shifting from reactive recording to proactive prevention with scOS ensures that your home remains as safe as the statistics suggest it should be.