Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint during July 2023, accounting for 41.4% of all reported crimes. This category, at a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents, was 6% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000, highlighting a relative strength in managing violent incidents despite the area’s built-up character. The overall crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents marked a 25.3% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, a testament to local efforts in maintaining public safety. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 12.6% of all incidents, though it remained 44% below the UK average. This contrast may reflect the area’s suburban nature, where community cohesion and local policing initiatives could play a role in mitigating such offences. Public order crimes, however, showed a 29% increase above the UK average, raising questions about how summer-specific factors—such as festivals, extended daylight, and increased social gatherings—might contribute to this trend. The data also revealed a notable gap in property crime reporting, with shoplifting and other thefts remaining significantly below UK levels, suggesting that local retail environments or security measures may be effective in deterring such incidents. Seasonal dynamics appear to be a key influence, as July’s peak tourism and outdoor events could both amplify opportunities for public order offences while simultaneously reducing the incidence of drug-related crimes, which fell by 80% compared to June. This combination of seasonal activity and crime patterns underscores the need for adaptive policing strategies that align with the rhythms of this built-up area within Mid Sussex.

July 2023 saw a 150% increase in shoplifting, rising from two to five incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour also surged by 120%, with 11 incidents reported, significantly above the previous month’s total. This spike may be linked to the area’s seasonal context, as summer festivals and increased foot traffic in public spaces could create opportunities for such behaviour. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes fell by 80%, dropping from five to one incident, a marked departure from the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000 residents. Violent crimes remained the dominant category, contributing 41.4% of all incidents, 6% below the UK average for this category. This suggests that while the area is generally safer in terms of violent crime, targeted interventions may still be needed to address local spikes in property-related offences.

The crime rate in July 2023 rose to 6.2 per 1,000 residents, a 33.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.6 per 1,000. This shift suggests a notable uptick in reported incidents, though the area remains significantly safer than the UK average. On a daily basis, the community experienced roughly three crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 162 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low, highlights the importance of continued vigilance. The population context further illustrates that even small changes in crime numbers can have visible impacts when scaled to a local level. The increase in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, alongside the decline in drug-related incidents, underscores the dynamic nature of crime patterns in this built-up area, which may be influenced by seasonal factors such as summer festivals and extended daylight hours.