Burgess Hill Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Burgess Hill’s March 2024 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a continued position as one of the UK’s safer built-up areas, sitting 27.3% below the national average of 7.7 per 1,000. This overall rate was driven by the dominance of Violence and sexual offences (31.6% of total crimes), followed by Anti-social behaviour (16.1%) and Criminal damage and arson (13.5%). While the town’s overall profile remains low, the elevated rate of criminal damage and arson—38% above the UK average—stood out as a notable anomaly. This may be partially explained by the area’s built-up character, which could increase opportunities for vandalism in public spaces. Seasonal factors also played a role, with the transition to spring and the lengthening of evenings influencing patterns of anti-social behaviour and property crime. The relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.5 per 1,000) and other theft (0.3 per 1,000), both significantly below UK averages, suggests that the town’s retail and commercial areas may be relatively secure. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime and theft from the person, as highlighted in the highlights section, indicates that specific vulnerabilities exist in the area’s transportation and personal safety sectors. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring local crime prevention strategies to address both persistent low-level issues and emerging challenges.

March 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with Theft from the person surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and Robbery more than doubling (from 1 to 3). These sharp increases may reflect seasonal dynamics, such as the transition to spring and the associated changes in public activity patterns. Conversely, Shoplifting dropped by 64.7% (from 51 to 18), likely influenced by the end of the festive season and reduced retail footfall. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 150%, reaching 10 incidents—a trend that could be linked to increased car usage during the longer evenings of early spring. Criminal damage and arson reported a rate of 0.8 per 1,000, 38% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This anomaly may be connected to the town’s built-up character and the potential for vandalism in public spaces. Residents may find the 150% rise in vehicle crime particularly relevant, as it highlights a growing concern in an area where parking and vehicle security remain key considerations.

Burgess Hill's crime rate in March 2024 stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, a 3.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader trends observed in the area over recent months. below the UK average. On a daily basis, the town reported roughly six crimes per day in March, a figure that reflects the relatively low crime profile typical of the built-up area within Mid Sussex. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 178 residents, underscoring the low frequency of incidents in a population of 34,265. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the average experienced in many UK towns, suggesting that residents in Burgess Hill face a markedly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national context. When viewed through the lens of population size, the absolute number of crimes (193) remains proportionally modest, reinforcing the area’s position as a safer-than-average location within the UK. The stability in crime patterns, despite seasonal shifts, indicates that local factors—such as community policing efforts or the town’s character—may play a role in maintaining this lower-than-average profile.