Horsted Keynes Crime Rate

Horsted Keynes is a remarkably safe village, reflected in its high safety score of 93/100. The overall crime rate stands at 35.4 per 1,000 residents, which is less than half the UK average of 91.6. Furthermore, the area is seeing a positive trend in safety, with a 16.9% decrease in total crime year-over-year. For its population of 1,385, Horsted Keynes offers a peaceful and secure environment. While the figures are low, understanding the distribution of crime types and their timing is essential for maintaining this high standard of safety. This report details the specific crime categories, monthly trends, and time-based insights for the area.

In Horsted Keynes, the crime profile is led by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 38.8% of all reported incidents, occurring at a rate of 13.7 per 1,000 residents. Violence and sexual offences follow as the second most common category at 24.5%, with 'other theft' ranking third at 14.3%.

Property-related crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage, occurs at a combined rate of 12.3 per 1,000 people. Within this, criminal damage and arson is the most significant concern at 12.2% of total crime. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, each accounting for just 4.1% of reports. For residents and homeowners, this data suggests that while serious property breaches like burglary are infrequent, there is a persistent issue with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. This profile highlights that maintaining the village's aesthetic and social order is as much a priority for local safety as preventing high-value theft. Protective measures should focus on deterring opportunistic damage and managing the perimeter of properties to mitigate the impact of anti-social activity.

The crime trend in Horsted Keynes is moving in a very positive direction, with a 16.9% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. Monthly data from 2025 shows that crime rates remained consistently low throughout the year.

The highest rates were recorded in May and July, both reaching 5.8 per 1,000 residents. These summer peaks were followed by a very quiet autumn, with October recording a low of 1.4. The year ended with a slight rise to 2.9 in December. The overall downward trend suggests that the village is becoming safer, with fewer incidents reported as the year progressed. For residents, this consistency is reassuring, indicating that while minor fluctuations occur, the overall level of criminal activity is low and decreasing. The drop in crime volume reinforces Horsted Keynes' status as one of the most secure communities in the region.

How To Keep Safe in Horsted Keynes

The most common issue in Horsted Keynes is anti-social behaviour. While the village is very safe, taking proactive steps can help maintain this environment and protect your property from opportunistic incidents.

1. Secure Your Perimeter: With anti-social behaviour and criminal damage being top concerns, ensure your property boundaries are well-defined and any gates are kept locked.
2. Utilise Motion Lighting: Install motion-activated lighting around your home and driveway to deter loitering and opportunistic criminal damage, especially during evening hours.
3. Be Vigilant at Night: Vehicle crime accounts for 34% of night-time incidents. Ensure your car is parked in a secure location and no valuables are left inside overnight.
4. Engage with the Community: Join local neighbourhood watch or social media groups to stay informed about any rare instances of suspicious activity in the village.
5. Report All Damage: Reporting even minor criminal damage or anti-social behaviour helps local authorities understand patterns and maintain the high safety score of the area.

Crime in Horsted Keynes follows a clear daily cycle. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, making up 55% and 59% of all reported incidents respectively. This suggests that the majority of daytime crime is opportunistic and occurs while the village is active or residents are away.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour, become more prominent, accounting for 43% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime rising to 34% of the total for that period. Burglary also reaches its highest percentage at night (22%). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the night-time hours present a higher relative risk for vehicle owners and residential property security. Residents should ensure that vehicles and homes are fully secured before the evening transition.

In the context of the surrounding region, Horsted Keynes is a very secure location. It compares favourably to Ardingly, which has a slightly higher crime rate of 37.8 per 1,000. While it does not match the zero-crime reports of nearby Danehill, Chelwood Common, and Chelwood Gate, it remains one of the safest urban settlements in Mid Sussex. For residents and those considering a move to the area, Horsted Keynes offers a stable, low-crime environment that is typical of the most secure parts of the Sussex countryside. Its safety profile is consistent with its neighbours, providing a high level of regional security.

With a property crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents and a high prevalence of anti-social behaviour (38.8%), security in Horsted Keynes should focus on deterrence and boundary protection. Traditional security systems often only provide evidence after a crime, such as criminal damage or theft, has already occurred. For homeowners in this village, a proactive approach is more beneficial. scOS (Security Operating System) utilizes AI to monitor your property's perimeter, detecting unusual activity before it escalates. In Horsted Keynes, where vehicle crime and burglary peak at night, scOS's autonomous responses—like activating lights or voice alerts—can discourage intruders before they reach your home or car. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you can protect your property from the opportunistic anti-social behaviour and damage that are the primary local concerns, keeping your home as safe as the statistics suggest.