Burgess Hill Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Burgess Hill’s December 2025 crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents marked a 21.4% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, a figure that places the area among the safer built-up regions in the country. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 27.5% of all incidents, though this rate was 42% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 21.2% of crimes, but this category was 29% above the national average, highlighting a potential imbalance in local policing or community engagement efforts. Shoplifting, at 14.3% of total crimes, also exceeded the UK average by 40%, a trend likely tied to the area’s retail presence and the seasonal rush of Christmas shopping. The month’s crime profile was shaped by December’s unique context: extended evenings, holiday-related foot traffic, and the temporary absence of residents during the festive period. These factors may have influenced both the rise in shoplifting and the drop in anti-social behaviour, though the latter’s decrease could also reflect improved community initiatives. Meanwhile, burglary and other theft remained well below UK averages, with rates 29–62% lower than national figures, indicating that residential areas may be benefiting from effective security measures or demographic characteristics that reduce vulnerability. The overall picture suggests a combination of seasonal pressures and local conditions, with Burgess Hill’s crime profile illustrating both resilience and areas requiring further attention.

December 2025 saw a dramatic 200% rise in possession of weapons, jumping from 1 to 3 incidents—a spike that could signal heightened tensions or changes in local dynamics. Concurrently, vehicle crime surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 cases, potentially linked to increased traffic during the holiday season or targeted thefts in car parks. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 16.7%, dropping from 48 to 40 incidents, reflecting the impact of festive events drawing attention away from such activities. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 27.5% of all crimes, but this rate was 42% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour both exceeded UK averages by 40% and 29% respectively, suggesting that retail areas and community spaces may require targeted interventions. For residents, the 200% increase in weapons possession is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and community engagement during peak holiday periods.

Burgess Hill’s crime rate in December 2025 rose by 13.3% compared to November, climbing from 4.9 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects broader seasonal dynamics. On average, 6 crimes were reported daily in December, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 181 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the frequency of reported incidents in a population of 34,265. This rate remains significantly below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, with Burgess Hill’s overall crime profile showing consistent underperformance relative to national trends. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the area is not immune to crime, its rates remain comparatively low, particularly in categories like burglary and other theft, which are 29–62% below UK averages. This suggests systemic factors—such as community policing efforts or demographic characteristics—may contribute to the area’s lower crime rates, though further analysis would be required to confirm.