Burgess Hill Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Burgess Hill’s crime rate in January 2024 stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 6.8% below the UK average of 7.4. The dominant crime category was shoplifting, which accounted for 27.9% of all reported incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This figure, at 1.9 per 1,000, highlights a significant local anomaly that may be influenced by the area’s retail infrastructure and post-holiday consumer behavior. Violence and sexual offences followed closely, contributing 26.6% of total crimes, though this rate remained 31% below the UK average. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and post-holiday transitions—may have contributed to a shift in crime patterns, with shoplifting likely driven by opportunistic theft in high-street stores. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences also rose sharply, though these categories are less directly tied to seasonal factors. The overall crime profile suggests a town where retail-focused crimes dominate, with property-related offences (including shoplifting) making up 47.5% of the total, compared to 26.6% for violent crimes. This balance reflects Burgess Hill’s character as a built-up area within Mid Sussex, where commercial activity and community interactions shape local crime trends. The data also indicates that violent crime remains relatively low, a trend consistent with the area’s demographic and geographic profile.

January 2024 saw a stark rise in shoplifting, with 66 incidents reported—a 175% increase from December 2023. This surge, which far outpaced the UK average for the category (0.6 per 1,000), may be linked to post-holiday retail activity or targeted theft in high-traffic areas. Anti-social behaviour also spiked by 153.8%, and public order offences rose by 130%, suggesting a possible shift in community dynamics or unmet policing demands. Conversely, robbery and theft from the person both fell by 50%, a decline that could reflect improved security measures or seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity. The area’s violent crime rate—1.8 per 1,000—remained 31% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributable to Burgess Hill’s relatively low population density and community-focused policing initiatives. These contrasting movements in crime categories highlight the complexity of local security challenges.

Burgess Hill's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 47.2% compared to the previous month, marking a significant shift in local crime patterns. This increase follows a period of relative stability, with the monthly rate climbing from 4.7 to 6.9 per 1,000 residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 8 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the ongoing need for community vigilance. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 145 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. While this rate remains below the UK average, the month-on-month surge highlights the volatility of crime trends in Burgess Hill. The population context—34,265 residents—further illustrates how even a moderate number of crimes can impact a community’s perception of safety. This increase may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced retail footfall during post-holiday periods, or other transient influences that warrant closer attention by local authorities.