Crime in Downland Villages: statistics, rates and trends
271 crimes were recorded in Downland Villages in the 12 months to August 2026, 74.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Downland Villages at a glance
- Crime trends in Downland Villages
- Types of crime in Downland Villages
- Downland Villages compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Downland Villages
- What happened after crimes were reported in Downland Villages
- Demographics of Downland Villages
- Questions about crime in Downland Villages
- About this data
Crime map
Anti-social behaviour (73), violence and sexual offences (69) and burglary (26) made up 62% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,062nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Downland Villages | Mid Sussex | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 271 | 9,839 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 74.0 | 60.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 3,663 | 161,755 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Downland Villages peaked in the year to August 2018 (290 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2022 (219). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 7%, in line with England and Wales.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 271 | 74.0 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 276 | 75.3 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 247 | 67.4 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 224 | 61.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 219 | 59.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 254 | 69.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 280 | 76.4 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 261 | 71.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 290 | 79.2 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 34 |
| July 2026 | 38 |
| June 2026 | 26 |
| May 2026 | 33 |
| April 2026 | 16 |
| March 2026 | 19 |
| February 2026 | 16 |
| January 2026 | 20 |
| December 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 15 |
| October 2025 | 13 |
| September 2025 | 21 |
Compared with England and Wales, Downland Villages recorded notably more burglary (2.0 times the national rate) and anti-social behaviour (30% above the national rate), and notably less violence and sexual offences (45% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 57 to 73, while criminal damage and arson fell from 32 to 25.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 73 | 19.9 | 15.4 | +28% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 69 | 18.8 | 34.2 | -9% |
| Burglary | 26 | 7.1 | 3.6 | -13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 25 | 6.8 | 6.7 | -22% |
| Public order | 18 | 4.9 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other theft | 17 | 4.6 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 4.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 14 | 3.8 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 1.6 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 4 | 1.1 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
3 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Downland Villages; the highest is Burgess Hill Meeds & Hammonds (121.2 per 1,000) and the lowest Burgess Hill Franklands (40.1).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Downland Villages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurstpierpoint | 804 | 107.8 | +46% |
| Burgess Hill Dunstall | 270 | 51.4 | -30% |
| Burgess Hill Victoria | 281 | 60.1 | -19% |
| Burgess Hill Meeds & Hammonds | 814 | 121.2 | +64% |
| Burgess Hill Leylands | 429 | 81.5 | +10% |
| Hassocks | 434 | 47.2 | -36% |
| Burgess Hill Franklands | 210 | 40.1 | -46% |
| Burgess Hill St Andrews | 503 | 69.8 | -6% |
The 10 locations below account for 60% of the crime recorded in Downland Villages over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Petrol Station” (43).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 43 |
| On or near Willow Gardens | 17 |
| On or near Blackthorns | 16 |
| On or near Mayfields | 16 |
| On or near Willow Way | 16 |
| On or near Dunlop Close | 15 |
| On or near Parking Area | 11 |
| On or near Crossways | 10 |
| On or near Hickstead Lane | 10 |
| On or near Willow Close | 8 |
Of the 198 crimes in Downland Villages with a recorded outcome, 44% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.5% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 73 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 88 | 44.4% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 49 | 24.7% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 32 | 16.2% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 5.6% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 4.5% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 3.0% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 1.0% | 2.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Downland Villages has an estimated population of 3,663 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (6.4%, against 23.3%), less private renting (11%, against 20%) and fewer residents with no qualifications (13%, against 18%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Downland Villages average decile 6.0 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Downland Villages | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.1% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 61.1% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 20.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.8% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 35.7% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 13.0% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 6.4% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 20.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 11.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Downland Villages a safe place to live?
Downland Villages recorded 74.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,062nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were burglary and anti-social behaviour.
What is the most common crime in Downland Villages?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 73 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (69).
Is crime in Downland Villages going up or down?
Recorded crime in Downland Villages was down 2% on the year before: 271 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 276 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Downland Villages?
About 3,663 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 18% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Downland Villages?
Downland Villages is policed by Sussex.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.