Haywards Heath Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Haywards Heath recorded 201 crimes in June 2023, yielding a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents — 43.5% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This marks one of the lowest rates in the area's recent history, with the town's crime profile skewed heavily towards violent and anti-social offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.8% of all crimes (86 incidents), significantly outpacing the UK average for this category (2.9 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour (16.4% of total crimes) and public order offences (9.5%) followed, both remaining well below national benchmarks. The area's relatively low property crime rate — just 20% of all reported crimes — contrasts with UK trends, where property crimes typically dominate. This divergence may partly explain the area's overall safety, given the prevalence of retail and residential zones that likely deter theft and burglary. Seasonal context suggests that the start of summer may have influenced patterns, with longer daylight hours reducing opportunities for vehicle crime and burglary but increasing public space interactions that could drive anti-social behaviour. The low rate of shoplifting (4.0% of total crimes) aligns with Haywards Heath's character as a commuter town with fewer high-footfall retail hubs compared to urban centres. While the area's crime profile remains distinct, the consistent gap from UK averages suggests structural factors — such as community policing strategies or local demographics — may be contributing to this trend.

June 2023 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations, with anti-social behaviour incidents surging by 73.7% (19 to 33) and public order offences rising by 72.7% (11 to 19). This spike in anti-social behaviour — now 0.8 per 1,000 residents — is 46% below the UK average of 1.5 per 1,000, highlighting a paradox where local rates are both increasing and remaining well below national levels. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50% (2 to 1), a drop that may reflect seasonal factors as summer begins and outdoor activity shifts. The 'Other crime' category saw the most dramatic change, surging 100% from 4 to 8 incidents — a rate of 0.2 per 1,000 that is 33% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This category's increase warrants attention, though its vague classification makes direct interpretation challenging. Drug-related crimes (0.3 per 1,000) remained 43% above the UK average, a persistent outlier that may reflect local patterns of substance use or enforcement focus. The decline in burglary (8 to 5 incidents) — now at 0.1 per 1,000 — is particularly significant, as it is 69% below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This suggests that Haywards Heath's residential areas may have effective security measures or community engagement strategies that reduce break-ins. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, which may require targeted local initiatives to address without compromising the area's overall safety record.

The crime rate in June 2023 (4.8 per 1,000) marked a 30.6% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.7 per 1,000.5% below the UK average. This month saw 7 crimes reported per day on average — a figure that, while low, reflects the area's relatively safe environment. Over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 208 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average (which is not provided but would likely be higher given the 43.5% gap). This statistic translates to a population-scaled perspective where, for every 1,000 residents, fewer than 5 crimes are reported — a stark contrast to the UK's 8.5 per 1,000. The 30.6% increase from May may be attributed to seasonal factors, as June marks the start of summer when public spaces become more active. However, the overall rate remains firmly in the safer tier of UK towns, with property crimes (40 incidents) making up just 20% of all reported crimes — a proportion far below the UK's typical property crime dominance. The local population of 41,728 residents means that crime impacts a smaller proportion of the community compared to larger urban centres, reinforcing the area's character as a low-density built-up area within Mid Sussex. These figures collectively suggest that Haywards Heath's crime profile is shaped by its suburban layout and limited commercial density, factors that likely contribute to its consistently lower crime rates compared to the UK average.