Burgess Hill Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

August 2025 saw Burgess Hill record a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 33.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marked improvement, particularly in violent crime categories, contrasts with the unexpected rise in possession of weapons offences. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences (28.0% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (21.5%) and criminal damage and arson (12.4%). These figures align with the area's character as a built-up district within Mid Sussex, where seasonal patterns often influence crime dynamics. August, typically a peak holiday month, saw reduced foot traffic in retail zones and fewer tourists, potentially contributing to lower rates of shoplifting and public order offences. However, the 19% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson suggests local factors—such as the presence of older housing stock or increased unoccupied properties during the summer—may be driving this category. The overall decline in violent crime, including a 40.2% drop in violence and sexual offences, may be partly explained by the end of the school summer term, which historically correlates with reduced youth-related incidents in similar suburban areas. This month's data illustrates a combination of seasonal trends and local infrastructure, with the area's relatively low crime profile continuing to distinguish it from national averages.

The most striking change in August 2025 was a 150% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from 2 to 5 cases. This surge, though small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 48% below UK average rate for violence and sexual offences, which fell by 40.2% month-on-month to 52 incidents. Anti-social behaviour also declined significantly, dropping 34.4% to 40 cases, while public order offences fell by 33.3% to 16. This shift in crime mix suggests a move away from public disorder towards more discreet criminal activity. The rate of criminal damage and arson (0.7 per 1,000) was 19% above the UK average, indicating a persistent local challenge in this category. For residents, the 1-in-184 monthly exposure rate provides a tangible benchmark for assessing personal risk levels in the area.

Burgess Hill's August 2025 crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents marks a 23.4% decline from July's 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six reported crimes per day, a figure that remains consistent with recent months despite the overall reduction. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 184 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low crime environment compared to the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised against the area's population of 34,265, suggests that residents face a significantly lower risk of encountering crime than the national average. The decrease aligns with broader patterns observed in similar built-up areas within Mid Sussex, where seasonal factors such as the end of the school summer term and reduced tourist activity may contribute to lower crime rates during August.