Burgess Hill Crime Rate

Burgess Hill is a safe and well-established town in Mid Sussex, boasting a safety score of 85/100, which is comfortably above the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate is 68.9 per 1,000 people per year, significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. The town has seen a stable crime trend recently, with a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.3%, indicating a consistent safety environment. While property crime sits at 23.6 per 1,000—below the UK average of 32.3—it remains an area where residents should maintain awareness. This report provides a detailed analysis of the town's crime statistics, timing, and trends to help residents and visitors understand Burgess Hill's current safety landscape.

Burgess Hill experiences a crime profile dominated by violence and sexual offences, which represent 31.0% of all reported incidents (21.4 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 21.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.9%. These figures highlight that community-level disruption and interpersonal offences are the primary concerns for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Burgess Hill occurs at a rate of 23.6 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting, which accounts for 8.7% of total crime, and other theft at 6.0%. Burglary and vehicle crime represent smaller portions of the total, at 3.5% and 4.1% respectively. For homeowners, the relatively high rate of criminal damage and arson suggests a need for perimeter security, while the property crime figures indicate that opportunistic theft remains a factor in the town's retail and residential areas. Total property crime is lower than the UK average of 32.3, but it remains a significant component of the local crime landscape.

The crime trend in Burgess Hill is currently stable, with a year-over-year decrease of 2.3%. Monthly data shows that crime rates peaked in March and July 2025 at 6.3 and 7.1 per 1,000 respectively, while the lowest rates were recorded in November 2025 (4.9) and December 2024 (5.0). The spring months of April and May also saw elevated activity. Despite these monthly fluctuations, the overall trajectory of crime in the town has remained remarkably consistent. For residents, this stability is a positive sign, suggesting that Burgess Hill is not experiencing a surge in criminal activity and remains a safe and predictable place to live and work.

How To Keep Safe in Burgess Hill

The most common crime type in Burgess Hill is violence and sexual offences, followed closely by anti-social behaviour. To stay safe, residents should practice situational awareness, especially when walking alone in the evenings. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through parks or unlit alleys. If you encounter anti-social behaviour, it is best to avoid confrontation and report the incident to the local police. For those visiting the town's commercial areas, be mindful of your personal belongings, as shoplifting and other thefts are among the top crime categories. At home, ensure that all windows and doors are locked, and consider installing motion-activated lighting around your property. These simple proactive steps, combined with the town's generally low crime rate, will help you maintain a high level of personal and property security.

Crime in Burgess Hill follows a clear temporal cycle. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the busiest period for theft, which accounts for 43% of crimes, and burglary, which peaks at 16%. This suggests a high level of opportunistic crime when residents are away from home. During the night (12am-6am), there is a significant shift toward vehicle crime, which makes up 32% of offences in this window, and burglary remains high at 18%. Evening hours (6pm-12am) are dominated by 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, making up 58% of reports. Morning hours (6am-12pm) also see high theft activity (40%). This data indicates that property is most at risk during the day and late at night, while social-related offences are concentrated in the evening.

In the local context, Burgess Hill (68.9 crimes per 1,000) has a higher crime rate than its more rural neighbours. Nearby Ditchling (41.0) and Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint (59.8) both report lower crime volumes. In contrast, very small villages like Wivelsfield and Wivelsfield Green report no crime (0.0), reflecting their quiet residential nature. Burgess Hill serves as a major commercial and transport hub for these surrounding areas, which naturally leads to a higher concentration of reported incidents. However, with a safety score of 85/100, Burgess Hill remains a very secure choice for the region, offering an urban lifestyle with crime rates that are still far below national benchmarks.

With a property crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000, Burgess Hill residents are less likely to be victims of theft than the average UK citizen, but the risk is not negligible. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are common, but they often only provide evidence after a crime has been committed. For those seeking to prevent crime entirely, the scOS AI-powered operating system offers a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries, scOS can identify potential intruders before they attempt a break-in. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification and autonomous responses—like activating floodlights or voice warnings—are designed to deter criminals within the critical first minute of their approach. In an area like Burgess Hill, where criminal damage and burglary are notable factors, a system that focuses on prevention rather than just recording provides a superior level of security for homeowners.