Pease Pottage Crime Rate

Pease Pottage currently has an overall crime rate of 120.0 per 1,000 residents, which sits above the UK average of 91.6. Despite this, the area maintains a safety score of 74/100, indicating a level of security that remains higher than the UK average safety score of 50, though lower than many of its immediate rural neighbours. Of significant concern is the recent trend direction; crime in Pease Pottage has increased by 32.2% over the last year. This sharp rise highlights a changing safety environment for the population of 1,675. The following report breaks down these statistics by crime type, monthly fluctuations, and time-based patterns to provide a comprehensive overview for residents and visitors.

Pease Pottage experiences a crime profile dominated by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 33.8% of all reports, at a rate of 40.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, accounting for 21.9% of total crime, followed by public order offences at 10.9%.

Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a combined rate of 26.3 per 1,000 people. Within this category, 'other theft' is the most significant contributor at 8.5%, while shoplifting accounts for 4.5% and burglary for 4.0%. Vehicle crime and criminal damage both sit at 2.5%. For homeowners, this data indicates that while violent crime is the highest category, the risk of property interference is substantial, particularly involving theft and burglary. The relatively high rate of anti-social behaviour also suggests that community-level disturbances are a more frequent concern for residents than in many other rural Mid Sussex settlements.

The crime trend in Pease Pottage is currently on a significant upward trajectory, with a 32.2% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a consistently high level of activity, peaking in May with a rate of 13.1 per 1,000 residents. Other high-activity months included March (11.9), July (12.5), and September (11.9).

The lowest crime rate was recorded in December at 6.0, but this was an outlier in an otherwise busy year. The sustained high rates throughout the spring and summer months suggest that the increase is not a seasonal fluke but a persistent trend. For residents, this means that the risk of encountering criminal activity has risen substantially in a short period. The increase in violence and anti-social behaviour, in particular, suggests a need for enhanced community vigilance and a more proactive approach to both personal and property safety.

How To Keep Safe in Pease Pottage

The highest crime category in Pease Pottage is violence and sexual offences. While these often occur in specific contexts, general personal safety and community awareness are key to maintaining a secure environment.

1. Be Aware of High-Risk Times: Theft is most common during the day, while burglary and vehicle crime peak at night. Ensure your property is most secure during these specific windows.
2. Utilise Community Watch: With anti-social behaviour being a top concern, engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups can help identify and report repeat offenders.
3. Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime accounts for 34% of night-time incidents. Always park in well-lit areas and ensure no valuables are visible through the windows.
4. Improve Home Boundaries: Use physical deterrents like high-quality fencing and AI-powered lighting to make your property a harder target, especially during the high-risk evening and night hours.
5. Report All Incidents: With a 32.2% increase in crime, reporting every incident helps local police allocate resources more effectively to the Pease Pottage area.

Pease Pottage exhibits very specific crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the overwhelming concern, accounting for 64% and 65% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the area is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard business and commuting hours.

As darkness falls, the nature of crime shifts dramatically. In the evening (6pm to 12am), burglary rises to 30%, and by night (12am to 6am), it reaches 34%. Simultaneously, vehicle crime, which is negligible during the day, spikes to 34% of all night-time reports. These patterns indicate a high risk to property and vehicles under the cover of darkness, while daytime risks are almost exclusively related to theft. Residents should tailor their security habits to these cycles, focusing on personal and retail theft during the day and residential/vehicle security at night.

Pease Pottage occupies a middle ground in the regional safety context. When compared to the nearby urban hub of Crawley, which has a higher crime rate of 134.5 per 1,000, Pease Pottage is the safer option. However, it is notably less secure than its smaller rural neighbours. Handcross, for instance, has a much lower rate of 35.8, while Colgate and Staplefield both report zero crimes. This suggests that Pease Pottage's position near major transport links may contribute to its higher crime figures compared to more isolated villages. Residents looking for local context should view Pease Pottage as a transitional area between high-activity urban zones and low-crime rural settlements.

With a property crime rate of 26.3 per 1,000 residents and a rising trend of 32.2%, home security in Pease Pottage is increasingly vital. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are often reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. For a community seeing a rise in crime, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS (Security Operating System) uses advanced AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, identifying threats at the property boundary. In Pease Pottage, where burglary and vehicle crime peak significantly at night (34% each), scOS's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can stop a criminal in their tracks. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the area's rising crime trends.