Mid Sussex Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 marked a surprising shift in Mid Sussex's crime profile, with the 'Other crime' category surging by 180% compared to June. This unexpected rise, from 15 to 42 incidents, stands in stark contrast to the area's usual pattern of being below the UK average in most categories. The overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents remains 33.3% lower than the UK average of 8.4, but the increase in 'Other crime' highlights a potential anomaly in the data. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32% of all crimes, with 287 incidents reported, a rate 37% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 20.6%, with 185 incidents, also significantly below the UK average. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, schools out, and a surge in tourism—likely influenced these patterns, though the sharp rise in 'Other crime' suggests other factors may be at play. While property crimes (287) and violent crimes (287) were evenly distributed, the area's low rates of vehicle crime (78% below UK average) and shoplifting (56% below UK average) indicate strong community policing or environmental deterrents. The contrast between this month's 'Other crime' spike and the usual low rates in categories like burglary (35% below UK average) and public order offences (38% below UK average) underscores the need for further analysis into what might be driving this unexpected trend.

The most striking movement in July 2024 was the 180% increase in 'Other crime', rising from 15 to 42 incidents. This category, which includes non-specific offences, now sits 76% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Concurrently, possession of weapons rose 77.8% (9 to 16), and robbery increased by 50% (2 to 3). These spikes contrast with declines in drug-related offences (down 40.9%) and theft from the person (down 20%), which fell below UK averages by 55% and 100% respectively. The violent crime category remained stable at 287 incidents, but its rate (1.8 per 1,000) is 37% below the UK average of 2.9. Shoplifting dropped 18.6% (59 to 48), aligning with the area's overall trend of being 56% below the UK average for this category. Residents may find the 78% reduction in vehicle crime (from 10 to 23 incidents) particularly reassuring, as this rate is now 78% below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000.

Mid Sussex's crime rate in July 2024 rose 11.4% from June's 5.0 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents, marking the first increase in the series this year. Daily crime totals averaged 29 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the monthly aggregate as roughly one reported crime for every 180 residents over the course of the month. While the rate remains 33.3% below the UK average, the upward trend suggests a potential shift in local patterns. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the increase, the area's crime profile remains significantly lower than the national benchmark, with only 5.6 incidents per 1,000 people compared to 8.4 across the UK. This contrast is most evident in categories like vehicle crime (78% below UK average) and shoplifting (56% below UK average), where Mid Sussex's rates are lower than the national picture. The rise in 'Other crime' (up 180%) complicates this comparison, as it diverges from the area's usual trend of being below the UK average in most categories.