Haywards Heath Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath boasts a commendable overall crime rate of 54.9 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, placing it significantly below the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This positive picture is reinforced by an excellent safety score of 88 out of 100, which is well above the UK average of 78, indicating a very secure environment for its population. Over the past year, the area has maintained a stable trend in crime, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% year-over-year. These figures provide a reassuring foundation for understanding the local crime landscape, with further details on specific crime types and temporal patterns explored below.

Crime Type Analysis in Haywards Heath

In Haywards Heath, the most prevalent crime type is Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 814 incidents or 19.5 per 1,000 residents, representing 35.5% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour ranks as the second most common, with 469 crimes (11.2 per 1,000), making up 20.4% of the total. Public order offences complete the top three, with 231 incidents (5.5 per 1,000), comprising 10.1% of all crime.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Haywards Heath experiences a rate of 15.9 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively low risk for homeowners. Specific figures include burglary at 1.3 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 2.3 per 1,000, and other theft at 3.5 per 1,000. These statistics indicate that residents and property owners in Haywards Heath benefit from a safer environment against property-related offences compared to many other UK locations.

Crime Trends in Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a marginal decrease of 1.5% year-over-year. This indicates that overall crime levels have remained consistent, without significant fluctuations. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents show some variation: October 2024 saw a rate of 4.6, which then dipped to 3.4 in November 2024. Peaks were observed in January 2025 at 5.1 and June 2025 at 5.3, with the rate settling at 5.2 in September 2025. These monthly figures suggest a generally consistent pattern, reinforcing the stable trend direction. For residents, this stability can offer reassurance regarding the predictability of local crime levels.

Crime Time Patterns in Haywards Heath

Crime patterns in Haywards Heath exhibit distinct variations throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most prominent crime, accounting for 44% of incidents, alongside vehicle crime at 16% and burglary at 7%. This suggests a vulnerability for unattended properties and vehicles during working hours. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees an increase in theft, reaching 49% of crimes, with burglary also rising to 13%, likely linked to increased commercial activity and opportunities. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), the 'Other' crime category dominates at 56%, which can include public order and anti-social behaviour, while theft significantly reduces to 18%. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a shift, with vehicle crime peaking at 39% and burglary at 13%, as properties and vehicles are often left unattended overnight.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Haywards Heath compares favourably with its immediate neighbours in terms of crime rates. Cuckfield, a smaller, more rural village, typically records lower crime figures, reflecting its quieter character. Scayne's Hill and Wivelsfield, also smaller settlements, generally exhibit similar low crime profiles, contributing to the overall sense of security in the wider area. Wivelsfield Green, another nearby village, mirrors these trends of lower crime rates. Haywards Heath, while being a larger built-up area, maintains a strong safety record that aligns closely with these more rural surroundings, making it a relatively safe place to live within the Mid Sussex district.

Protecting Your Home in Haywards Heath

With a property crime rate of 15.9 per 1,000 residents in Haywards Heath, which is lower than the national average, it remains prudent for homeowners to consider robust security measures. Relying solely on traditional CCTV to record a burglary is a reactive approach; true protection comes from preventing the crime. An advanced AI-powered home security system like scOS offers proactive defence, detecting potential threats at the property boundary before an intrusion can occur. Unlike systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all angles simultaneously, learning your routines to differentiate between legitimate activity and real threats. This professional-grade deterrence makes a significant difference, as most burglars decide to move on within 60 seconds of encountering visible, effective security. Investing in such a system can transform your home security from a recording device to an active crime prevention solution.