Mid Sussex Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Mid Sussex during December 2023, accounting for 33.7% of all reported crimes. This category, with a rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents, was 43% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), highlighting a stark contrast to national trends. The area’s overall crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, 38.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, underscores its relatively low levels of criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson followed as the next most common categories, each contributing over 10% of all crimes. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and holiday-related absences—likely influenced these patterns. For instance, the high rate of violence may partly reflect increased social interactions during the festive period, while the drop in vehicle crime could be linked to fewer commuters and reduced traffic. However, the area’s crime profile also suggests a balance between routine factors and localized efforts to mitigate risk. The prominence of violence and sexual offences, despite the overall low crime rate, indicates a need for targeted interventions in this category. This dominance may be tied to the area’s characteristics, such as the presence of mixed-use developments or the concentration of social services that draw both vulnerable populations and potential offenders. The data also reveals a broader trend of property crimes (45%) and violent crimes (33.7%) splitting the total, though neither category approached the UK averages. This divergence, combined with the seasonal context, illustrates an area where crime is managed effectively but remains sensitive to external influences like holidays and weather.

December 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with increases in Other crime (+61.5%) and Drugs (+61.5%), both rising from 13 to 21 incidents. These rises, though modest in absolute terms, suggest emerging trends that warrant closer observation. Conversely, Theft from the person fell sharply by 75.0% (8 → 2), a decline likely linked to heightened security measures during the holiday season. The category of Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 33.7% of all crimes, remained 43% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), illustrating a consistent divergence from national norms. This gap may reflect the area’s demographic profile or the effectiveness of local initiatives in curbing violent crime. Meanwhile, Vehicle crime dropped by 30.8% (39 → 27), possibly influenced by reduced traffic and fewer commuters during the festive period. These fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of crime in Mid Sussex, where seasonal factors and local context interact to shape monthly outcomes.

Mid Sussex’s crime rate in December 2023 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, a 15.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the typical seasonal dip seen in many areas during the winter holidays. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 23 crimes per day, a figure that, while notable, remains consistent with broader patterns in similar regions. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 227 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Mid Sussex well below the UK average. This statistic reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national trends, though the distribution of crime types offers further nuance. The population context—161,755 residents—highlights how even modest absolute numbers can translate into meaningful community impacts when scaled across a large area. Residents may find this data useful in understanding the broader context of local safety, particularly when considering the interplay between population density and crime patterns.