The question of how safe East Grinstead town centre is at night requires a nuanced understanding of available data. While East Grinstead, classified as a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Mid Sussex, boasts a population of 28,028, the crime rate stands at 57.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000, suggesting a generally safer environment compared to many other areas in the country. The overall safety score for East Grinstead is 87 out of 100, again exceeding the UK average of 79, reinforcing this perception of relative safety.
However, a crucial detail emerges when considering nighttime safety specifically. The night safety score for East Grinstead is a considerably lower 12 out of 100. This suggests that residents and visitors may perceive a heightened risk after dark. Further analysis reveals a violent crime rate of 20.6 per 1,000 residents. While this figure isn't drastically alarming in isolation, combined with the low night safety score, it warrants careful consideration.
The discrepancy between the general safety score and the night safety score likely reflects factors such as reduced visibility, fewer people on the streets, and potentially, an increased prevalence of certain types of crime that are more likely to occur at night. It's important to note that these scores are based on reported crime data and may not fully capture the entire picture of safety perceptions. Individuals' experiences and feelings of safety can vary significantly. Therefore, while the raw data indicates a lower overall crime rate than the UK average, the lower night safety score implies a need for increased vigilance when visiting East Grinstead town centre after dark.