Mid Sussex Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2025, Mid Sussex recorded 736 crimes across its population of 161,755, resulting in a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents — 35.2% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This performance highlights a distinct balance between property and violent crime, with the latter accounting for 35.5% of total incidents and the former 35.2%. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most common category, with 261 incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (109) and public order offences (68). The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall — may partly explain the relatively low rates of property crime, such as shoplifting (66 incidents) and vehicle crime (37), both significantly below UK averages. However, the prominence of violent crime contrasts with the typical patterns seen in other areas, where property crimes often dominate. This could reflect Mid Sussex's demographic profile, which may include a mix of urban and rural communities with varying social dynamics. The area's low crime rate overall, combined with the slight edge in violent crime, suggests a combination of factors, including community engagement, policing strategies, and local socioeconomic conditions. The data also reveals that categories like drugs (10 incidents) and bicycle theft (5) remain far below UK averages, indicating that Mid Sussex's crime profile is markedly different from the national trend.

January 2025 saw a 125% increase in possession of weapons, rising from four to nine incidents. This sharp rise, though still a small absolute number, may signal shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 23.9%, from 88 to 109 cases, potentially linked to post-holiday social adjustments. Meanwhile, shoplifting increased by 20%, from 55 to 66 incidents, a trend that contrasts with the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, where Mid Sussex's rate of 0.4 per 1,000 remains 35% below. Conversely, robbery fell by 50%, from four to two cases, and bicycle theft dropped by 28.6%, from seven to five. These reductions may reflect seasonal factors, such as shorter daylight hours reducing opportunities for outdoor crimes. Violent crimes accounted for 35.5% of total incidents, slightly outpacing property crimes (35.2%), a balance that is notable given the UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.5 per 1,000, whereas Mid Sussex's rate is 1.6 per 1,000 — 36% below. This suggests a localised emphasis on interpersonal crime, influenced by community demographics or social interactions in the area.

Mid Sussex's January 2025 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents marks a 4.6% increase from the previous month's 4.4 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, aligns with the area's broader trend of remaining well below the UK average. On a daily basis, 24 crimes were reported across the 31 days, a figure that contextualises the rate as relatively low compared to other regions. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 220 residents, underscoring that the majority of the population experiences no direct impact from crime. This monthly exposure rate, when considered against Mid Sussex's population of 161,755, illustrates that crime remains a rare occurrence for most residents. The slight upward movement in the rate may reflect seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday lull in retail activity, which could influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. However, the overall trajectory remains consistent with Mid Sussex's historical position as a lower-risk area relative to the UK.