Horley Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Horley (Reigate and Banstead) recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, placing it 45.8% below the UK average of 7.2. This marked improvement positions the area as significantly safer than the national picture, a trend that may be attributed to its built-up character and lower population density. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 37.7% of all incidents.5 per 1,000 was 43% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed with 24.6% of all crimes, a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 that edged 8% above the national figure. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and holiday-related absences—likely influenced patterns, though the overall decline in crime suggests effective local policing or community engagement. Public order offences, at 0.4 per 1,000, were 17% below the UK average, a figure consistent with the area’s relatively subdued nightlife and limited large-scale events. The data also highlights a stark contrast in property crime: burglary and vehicle crime both fell sharply compared to previous months, potentially linked to reduced outdoor activity during the festive period. These trends underscore Horley’s position as a comparatively low-crime built-up area, though the slight rise in anti-social behaviour and possession of weapons offences warrants further analysis.

December 2023 witnessed a 400% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a stark anomaly in the crime data. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened police visibility during the festive season or transient spikes in illicit activity. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 70% compared to November, aligning with reduced foot traffic and fewer opportunities for theft in the built-up area. Violence and sexual offences remained 43% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be linked to the area’s lower population density and community-focused policing strategies. Anti-social behaviour, while still below the national rate, edged 8% above the UK average at 1.0 per 1,000, influenced by seasonal social gatherings. Residents may find the 70% drop in vehicle crime particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a reduction in targeted thefts during the month.

Horley’s crime rate in December 2023 fell by 27.3% compared to November, marking a notable shift in local crime trends. The previous month’s rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents dropped to 3.9, a decline consistent with seasonal patterns often seen in built-up areas during the festive period. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 254 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for households in the area. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported across the 31 days, a localised metric that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This rate is further tempered by the area’s demographic profile, where community-focused policing and the absence of major retail hubs may contribute to the subdued crime levels. The drop in vehicle crime—70% fewer incidents than November—suggests a possible reduction in opportunistic thefts during the holiday season, though this remains consistent with broader trends observed in similar urban centres.