Bearsted Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted's August 2023 crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 stands at 67.9% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently low-crime environment for a built-up area within Maidstone. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 54.6% of total incidents (12 cases), a rate of 1.4 per 1,000 that remains 47% below the UK average for this category. This contrasts with the UK's broader trend of higher violent crime rates, suggesting Bearsted's demographic or geographic factors—perhaps its smaller population, lower population density, or limited nightlife—contribute to this divergence. Property crimes, at 4 cases (0.5 per 1,000), were relatively sparse, with vehicle crime and other theft each contributing 9.1% of total incidents. Seasonal context may also play a role: August, as a peak holiday month, could see increased tourism and empty homes, which may partly explain the 100% increase in possession of weapons offences. However, the absence of a corresponding rise in burglary or theft from the person suggests that local factors—such as community engagement or policing—may mitigate risks typically associated with seasonal fluctuations.

August 2023 saw a 100% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from zero to two incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, where Bearsted's rate of 0.2 per 1,000 was 186% above. Anti-social behaviour and drug-related offences also doubled from July, highlighting a shift in crime mix toward non-property crimes. Meanwhile, other theft and criminal damage and arson both declined by 75% and 50% respectively, suggesting fluctuating patterns in specific categories. Violent crimes, however, remained 47% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, indicating Bearsted's continued resilience in this category despite the rise in other offences. For residents, the doubling of possession of weapons cases may signal a need for heightened awareness during local gatherings or events.

Bearsted's crime rate in August 2023 rose 15.9% from July's 2.3 per 1,000 to 2.6 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day across 31 days, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 380 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively sparse nature of criminal activity compared to larger urban centres. With a population of 8,356, Bearsted's crime statistics sit within a scale where individual residents are far less likely to encounter crime than in areas with higher population densities. This contrast becomes more pronounced when considering the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, illustrating how Bearsted's built-up character—likely characterised by lower population density and fewer high-risk environments—contributes to its significantly lower crime profile.