Burgess Hill Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Burgess Hill’s crime rate for October 2024 was 6.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 24.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This built-up area within Mid Sussex exhibits a distinct crime profile shaped by its mix of residential, retail, and community spaces. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 26.7% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.2%) and criminal damage and arson (11.0%). These figures contrast with national trends, where violence and sexual offences typically make up 40% of total crimes. The lower share of violent crime in Burgess Hill may reflect a combination of community policing efforts and the area’s relatively lower population density compared to major urban centres. Seasonal factors also appear to influence crime patterns, with October’s darker evenings and Halloween likely contributing to a temporary uptick in anti-social behaviour. However, the area’s overall crime rate remains significantly below the UK average, suggesting effective local strategies in crime prevention. The breakdown shows that property crimes, including burglary and vehicle crime, are also lower than the UK average, though criminal damage and arson exceed national levels by 19%. This divergence highlights the importance of contextual factors—such as local property types and community engagement initiatives—in shaping crime outcomes. The data underscores that while Burgess Hill shares some common crime challenges with the UK, its unique demographic and geographic characteristics create a distinct crime profile.

October 2024 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with drug-related offences surging by 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents) and bicycle theft rising by 133.3% (from 3 to 7). These increases may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as Halloween-related activity or changes in local patterns. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 85.7% (from 7 to 1), potentially reflecting targeted enforcement or reduced incidents during the month. The crime mix also shows stark contrasts with UK averages: violence and sexual offences are 40% below the national rate, while bicycle theft is 150% above. This anomaly may be linked to Burgess Hill’s cycling infrastructure, which could both encourage bicycle ownership and, in some cases, create vulnerabilities for theft. Other crime categories, including 'other crime' (up 175%) and criminal damage (down 17.9%), illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime trends. Residents might find the 44% reduction in shoplifting from the UK average (0.4 vs 0.7 per 1,000) particularly noteworthy, indicating effective retail security measures or lower foot traffic during October. These fluctuations highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of specific crime types to address emerging challenges.

Burgess Hill’s crime rate remained stable compared to the previous month, with no change from 6.1 per 1,000 residents in September 2024. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 7 crimes per day in October, a figure that provides a tangible sense of local crime frequency. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 163 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many urban areas but comparable to other mid-sized towns. Given the population of 34,265, this translates to a relatively low individual risk of experiencing crime. The stability in the overall rate suggests that local interventions—such as community policing or seasonal crime prevention campaigns—may have helped maintain consistency. However, the breakdown of crime types reveals that certain categories, like criminal damage and arson (19% above UK average), require targeted attention. These figures also contextualise the area’s performance: while Burgess Hill is safer than the UK average overall, specific challenges persist that could benefit from tailored strategies. The monthly exposure rate, when viewed alongside the UK average, reinforces that residents in Burgess Hill face a lower likelihood of being directly affected by crime than the national average, though localised efforts remain crucial for addressing disparities in specific categories.