Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint maintained a lower crime rate than the UK average in October 2023, with 5.4 crimes per 1,000 residents — 32.5% below the national figure. This performance reflects a persistent trend in the area’s relatively safe environment, shaped by its character as a semi-rural built-up area within Mid Sussex. The top crime categories included violence and sexual offences (20 incidents, 26.3% of total), anti-social behaviour (15 incidents, 19.7%), and public order offences (15 incidents, 19.7%). Violence and sexual offences, while still a concern, saw a 16.7% decrease month-on-month, potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as darker evenings and the Halloween period, which may have prompted increased community vigilance or policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour, though a significant category, remained 14% below the UK average, suggesting local initiatives or community cohesion may contribute to this lower rate. However, public order offences stood out as an exception, being 86% above the UK average — a stark contrast to other categories. This anomaly may be linked to the area’s proximity to commuter routes or social hubs where public gatherings are more frequent. The overall balance of crime types indicates a focus on addressing public order issues without compromising the area’s broader safety record, which remains consistently below national averages.

October 2023 saw notable decreases in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 16.7% from the previous month, reducing the category’s share of total crimes from 30% to 26.3%. This decline may be attributed to heightened awareness during the Halloween period or targeted local interventions. Conversely, anti-social behaviour surged by 114.3%, rising from 7 to 15 incidents — a sharp increase that highlights the need for closer monitoring of community dynamics. Burglary also rose dramatically, doubling from 0 to 4 incidents, marking a 100% increase. This could reflect seasonal patterns, such as increased home occupancy during the month or vulnerabilities in local security measures. Several categories remained significantly below the UK average: drugs offences were 50% below, vehicle crime 81% below, and other theft 68% below. These figures suggest that the area’s lower population density and stronger community networks contribute to reduced incidents in these categories. Residents may find the 185:1 monthly exposure ratio — one crime per 185 residents — a useful context for understanding the scale of risk in the area.

The crime rate in October 2023 (5.4 per 1,000) represented a 26.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. This rise, while statistically significant, must be contextualised within the area’s broader safety profile. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in October — a figure that, while low, underscores the need for vigilance during peak times. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 185 residents, a ratio that places the area among the safest in the UK. This monthly exposure metric, when compared to the UK’s average of 8.0 per 1,000, illustrates the stark contrast between Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint’s crime profile and national trends. The area’s population of 14,095 further contextualises these numbers, showing that even modest increases in crime can have measurable impacts on a relatively small community. While the 26.5% month-on-month rise may raise concerns, the absolute numbers remain low, and the area’s overall safety record continues to outperform national benchmarks.