East Grinstead Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, East Grinstead's crime rate stood at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, 40% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure reflects a marked shift in the balance between property and violent crime, with the latter dominating the landscape. Violent crimes accounted for 33.9% of all reported incidents, compared to property crimes at 25.2%, a trend that may partly explain the area's position relative to the UK average. The dominance of violence and sexual offences—43 incidents in total—was 42% below the UK average for the category, suggesting that while the area remains relatively safe in this regard, the increase in anti-social behaviour (up 126.7%) and public order offences (up 220%) may signal emerging challenges. Seasonal factors, such as the Easter period and spring weather, likely contributed to heightened outdoor activity, which could have influenced the rise in anti-social behaviour and public order issues. The UK average for anti-social behaviour is 1.2 per 1,000, but East Grinstead recorded 1.2 per 1,000, indicating parity at the national level. Meanwhile, property crimes like burglary and shoplifting remained significantly lower than the UK average, with burglary at 0.1 per 1,000 (67% below the national rate) and shoplifting at 0.1 per 1,000 (79% below). These patterns suggest that East Grinstead's built-up area, located within Mid Sussex, may benefit from a combination of community policing, lower population density, and the absence of high-risk areas such as major retail hubs or nightlife districts that typically drive property crime. However, the rise in violent crime and anti-social behaviour raises questions about local factors, such as increased social gatherings or seasonal events, that may have contributed to the shift in crime dynamics.

April 2023 saw sharp increases in burglary (+300%), public order offences (+220%), and anti-social behaviour (+126.7%), while vehicle crime fell by 75% and theft from the person dropped by 50%. The dominance of violent crime—accounting for 33.9% of all incidents—contrasts with property crimes, which made up 25.2% of the total. This violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 is 42% below the UK average for the category, suggesting that while the area is safer in this regard, the rise in anti-social behaviour may reflect tensions linked to increased outdoor activity during Easter and spring. Residents might note the 43 violent crimes reported, which included 43 incidents of violence and sexual offences, a figure that remains significantly lower than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The drop in shoplifting (-20%) and vehicle crime (-75%) may partly explain the overall crime rate's position relative to the UK average.

East Grinstead's crime rate in April 2023 rose by 36.4% compared to March 2023, climbing from 3.3 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, still leaves the area 40% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of four reported incidents each day in April, a figure that may reflect seasonal patterns such as increased foot traffic during Easter and spring events. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 221 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low frequency of incidents for a built-up area. This rate, when contextualised against the local population of 28,028, indicates that the majority of residents are unlikely to experience crime directly, though the rise from the previous month warrants attention to emerging trends. The population-scaled perspective highlights that East Grinstead remains a safer area than the UK average, but the upward trend in specific categories may signal shifting dynamics in community safety.