Burgess Hill Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Burgess Hill's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 6.1 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000—a 20.8% deficit that underscores the area's relative safety. This figure, while showing an 8.3% increase from March, remains well within a range consistent with a built-up area within Mid Sussex. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (28.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.9%) and shoplifting (13.4%). These patterns align with the characteristics of a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail zones, where violence may be concentrated in public spaces and shoplifting linked to high-street activity. Seasonal factors, such as the Easter period and spring weather, likely contributed to the distribution of crimes, with increased outdoor activity potentially influencing both anti-social behaviour and shoplifting incidents. The lower-than-average rates for violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and vehicle crime suggest effective policing or community engagement in these areas. However, the rise in shoplifting and drug-related crimes points to potential challenges requiring targeted intervention. The overall picture illustrates a balanced crime profile with notable strengths in certain categories, while others warrant closer attention to ensure continued safety.

April 2024 saw notable decreases in theft from the person, which fell by 80% from 5 to 1 incidents, marking a sharp decline in personal crime. Vehicle crime also dropped 60%, from 10 to 4, likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during Easter and spring weather. Meanwhile, shoplifting increased by 55.6%, rising from 18 to 28 incidents, suggesting heightened retail activity or targeting during the Easter period. The most significant spike was in drug-related crimes, which surged 500% from 1 to 6 incidents, a dramatic shift that may indicate changes in local enforcement or community dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, at 59 incidents (1.7 per 1,000), remain 34% below the UK average, demonstrating a consistent strength in this category. These trends illustrate a mixed picture of local crime patterns, with some areas showing marked improvement while others require closer monitoring.

Burgess Hill's crime rate in April 2024 rose 8.3% from 5.6 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents compared to March, reflecting a slight upward trend. However, this remains 20.8% below the UK average, highlighting the area's continued safety relative to national standards. Daily crime figures show an average of 7 crimes reported each day in April, a manageable level for a built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 164 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the low frequency of incidents in this population. When scaled to the town's 34,265 residents, this suggests that the vast majority of residents experience no direct impact from crime. The population context further illustrates that even with the 8.3% increase, the absolute number of crimes remains far below what would be expected in a larger or more densely populated area.