Burgess Hill Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Burgess Hill’s crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 38% of all reported incidents and remaining 28% below the UK average. This category, which includes assaults and sexual harassment, is likely influenced by the area’s mix of residential and commercial spaces, where interactions between residents and visitors may increase tensions. The overall crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents places Burgess Hill significantly below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies or the area’s demographic composition. For example, the town’s relatively low population density and strong community engagement may contribute to lower violent crime rates. Seasonal factors also played a role: January’s shorter days and post-holiday retail quietude may have reduced opportunities for theft and public order offences, though this was offset by a sharp rise in ‘other crime’ and bicycle theft. The breakdown of crime types reveals a complex picture: while property crimes like burglary and vehicle crime were below the UK average, criminal damage and arson exceeded national levels, linked to maintenance challenges in older properties. These trends underscore the importance of targeted interventions, such as improving housing conditions or increasing community policing in high-risk areas, to sustain the area’s current safety levels.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with increases in ‘other crime’ and bicycle theft, both rising by 100% compared to December. This surge may reflect seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period, which could leave residents more vulnerable to opportunistic crimes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 52.5% (from 40 to 19 incidents), likely influenced by reduced outdoor activity during shorter days. Violent crimes, though still the most common category, remained 28% below the UK average at 1.8 per 1,000. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose 46% above the UK average, a striking contrast to the area’s overall lower crime rate. This discrepancy may point to specific local issues, such as the presence of older housing stock requiring maintenance. Residents may find the 4.8% rate for vehicle crime—46% below the UK average—particularly reassuring, suggesting effective local policing or environmental deterrents in place.

Burgess Hill’s crime rate in January 2026 fell to 4.8 per 1,000 residents, a 12.3% decrease from 5.5 per 1,000 in December 2025. This reduction aligns with the post-holiday period, when retail footfall and outdoor activity typically decline, potentially lowering opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately five reported crimes each day in January, reflecting a consistent but low-level presence of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 206 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. This monthly exposure rate suggests that while crime remains a concern, it is not pervasive across the community. When compared to the UK average, Burgess Hill’s overall rate is 29.4% lower, indicating a safer environment than the national standard. However, the population-scaled perspective reveals that localised factors—such as the town’s mix of residential and retail areas—play a role in shaping crime patterns distinct from larger urban centres.