Crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath: statistics, rates and trends
750 crimes were recorded in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath at a glance
- Crime trends in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- Types of crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- What happened after crimes were reported in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- Population and deprivation in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- Questions about crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
- About this data
750 crimes were recorded in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 227 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath has the 1,733rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath | Mid Sussex | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 750 | 9,703 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.0 | 60.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 9,036 | 161,755 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath was highest in the year to July 2024 (818 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (654). Over the whole period it rose 15%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 750 | 83.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 751 | 83.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 818 | 90.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 654 | 72.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 659 | 72.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 778 | 86.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 755 | 83.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 692 | 76.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 654 | 72.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 75 |
| June 2026 | 49 |
| May 2026 | 56 |
| April 2026 | 49 |
| March 2026 | 51 |
| February 2026 | 58 |
| January 2026 | 68 |
| December 2025 | 69 |
| November 2025 | 67 |
| October 2025 | 72 |
| September 2025 | 88 |
| August 2025 | 48 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, public order.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+19%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-37%) and criminal damage and arson (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 227 | 25.1 | 0.73 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 200 | 22.1 | 1.44 | +19% |
| Public order | 88 | 9.7 | 1.47 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 56 | 6.2 | 0.91 | -24% |
| Other theft | 38 | 4.2 | 0.66 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 38 | 4.2 | 0.51 | -14% |
| Drugs | 26 | 2.9 | 0.88 | +62% |
| Burglary | 23 | 2.5 | 0.72 | +77% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.1 | 0.43 | -37% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 1.0 | 1.21 | +350% |
| Other crime | 9 | 1.0 | 0.47 | -36% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.9 | 0.91 | -33% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.7 | 0.49 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.20 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 30.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 26.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 77% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 350% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haywards Heath Franklands | 315 | 53.4 | -36% |
| Haywards Heath Lucastes & Bolnore | 293 | 37.2 | -55% |
| Haywards Heath Ashenground | 510 | 62.4 | -25% |
| Lindfield | 249 | 33.2 | -60% |
| Lindfield Rural & High Weald | 227 | 29.2 | -65% |
| Cuckfield, Bolney & Ansty | 203 | 47.3 | -43% |
| Burgess Hill Leylands | 417 | 79.2 | -5% |
| Burgess Hill St Andrews | 502 | 69.6 | -16% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near South Road | 89 |
| On or near B2272 | 68 |
| On or near The Broadway | 31 |
| On or near Supermarket | 28 |
| On or near Parking Area | 26 |
| On or near Plymouth Way | 25 |
| On or near Greenways | 24 |
| On or near Quakers Lane | 24 |
| On or near Bentswood Road | 22 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 270 | 36.0% |
| Not recorded | 200 | 26.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 163 | 21.7% |
| Under investigation | 44 | 5.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 21 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 19 | 2.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath has an estimated population of 9,036. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.2% |
| Social rented homes | 16.8% |
| Private rented homes | 26.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath a safe place to live?
Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath recorded 83.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (200).
Is crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath was almost unchanged on the year before: 750 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 751 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath?
Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath is policed by Sussex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.