Mid Sussex Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Mid Sussex’s crime rate in January 2024 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, marking a 25.7% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.4. This lower-than-national rate, despite the area’s mixed rural-urban character, suggests a combination of effective local policing, community engagement, or environmental factors that mitigate crime. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.1%) and shoplifting (11.4%). This dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with typical seasonal trends, where property crimes often surge during colder months due to increased indoor activity and reduced outdoor surveillance. However, the relatively low overall rate may be influenced by Mid Sussex’s geographical profile—a largely rural district with pockets of urban centres—where lower population density and strong community ties could deter certain types of crime. Seasonal context also plays a role: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall may have dampened property crime rates while leaving interpersonal conflicts more pronounced. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Mid Sussex’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000 is 23% below, consistent with a generally safer profile in this category. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.7 per 1,000, is 29% below the UK average of 1.0, reflecting potential success in addressing nuisance crimes through local initiatives. Shoplifting. to 102 cases, remains just 5% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, indicating that while retail theft is a concern, it is not high. This nuanced picture highlights the area’s ability to maintain a crime profile that is both lower than the UK average in several categories and resilient to seasonal fluctuations, albeit with pockets of concern that require targeted attention.

January 2024 saw a 150% increase in theft from the person, rising from 2 to 5 incidents, and a 100% jump in bicycle theft, with cases doubling to 10. These spikes suggest heightened vulnerability in specific areas, such as high-traffic zones or locations with limited surveillance. Meanwhile, violent crimes accounted for 35.8% of all incidents, slightly edging out property crimes (34.2%), a reversal of the usual balance observed in other months. This shift may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced daylight and post-holiday social dynamics, which could contribute to increased interpersonal conflicts. Shoplifting rose by 52.2% to 102 cases, indicating a possible link to January’s post-holiday retail environment, where reduced footfall might paradoxically drive targeted theft. In contrast, possession of weapons fell by 50%, and drug-related crimes dropped by 42.9%, both of which align with the UK averages for these categories.

Mid Sussex's crime rate in January 2024 rose 25.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.4 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains 25.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 29 crimes per day in January, a figure that reflects the local context of a mixed rural-urban district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 181 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the national average. This monthly exposure figure underscores the area’s overall safety profile, though the rise from December suggests potential seasonal or localized factors influencing crime trends. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate is lower than the UK average, the absolute number of crimes—894 in total—requires continued monitoring for patterns that may emerge in subsequent months.