Bearsted Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 8,356 residents, 22 reported crimes in May 2023 equate to a crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 people—67.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights Bearsted’s relative safety compared to national trends. The breakdown shows a striking imbalance in crime types, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 13 incidents (59.1% of total), followed by public order offences (3) and criminal damage (2). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal and community-level issues rather than property-related crimes, which accounted for just 5 of the 22 total. Seasonal factors in May—such as extended evenings and increased socialising—likely contribute to the prominence of violent and public order offences. The area’s low overall rate may reflect a combination of local demographics, effective policing, or the character of Bearsted itself as a smaller, possibly more cohesive built-up area within Maidstone. However, the sharp rise in violent crimes compared to previous months deserves closer attention, even if the absolute numbers remain low. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.8 per 1,000, yet Bearsted’s rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 42% below that benchmark, illustrating a consistent pattern of lower violent crime. This contrast with the UK average is even more pronounced in categories like anti-social behaviour (92% below) and vehicle crime (78% below), though these remain minor contributors to Bearsted’s total crime count. The data illustrates a community where violent crime is less frequent than in most parts of the country, but where targeted issues—such as public order and interpersonal disputes—require sustained attention.

May 2023 saw a notable surge in violent crimes, with an 85.7% increase from 7 to 13 incidents compared to the previous month. This jump in violence and sexual offences, now accounting for nearly 60% of all reported crimes, contrasts with an 80% drop in other theft (from 5 to 1) and a 66.7% decline in anti-social behaviour (from 3 to 1). These shifts suggest a temporary spike in interpersonal conflict or public disturbances, possibly linked to May’s longer evenings and seasonal social patterns. Burglary also rose sharply by 100%, with one incident reported in May—though this remains a single case in an area where property crime overall is rare. Public order offences, which include noise complaints and disorderly conduct, increased by 50%, aligning with the season’s typical uptick in outdoor gatherings. While Bearsted’s violent crime rate (1.6 per 1,000) is 42% below the UK average for this category, the month-on-month rise in violent incidents may signal a need for targeted interventions, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or social mixing. Conversely, the significant declines in vehicle crime (78% below UK average) and other theft (83% below) indicate that Bearsted’s residents may benefit from specific deterrents, such as secure parking or community vigilance, that are less common in other parts of the country.

Bearsted’s crime rate in May 2023 (2.6 per 1,000) marked a 4.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 2.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but sustained trend of lower crime. On a daily basis, this translates to roughly one reported crime per day across the 31-day period—a figure that, while low, may seem more frequent to residents due to the small population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 380 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of crime in Bearsted compared to larger urban areas. When scaled to Bearsted’s population, the 22 total crimes represent a negligible fraction of the community’s daily life, yet the distribution of crime types reveals distinct local patterns. For instance, the 13 violent crimes reported in May—equivalent to 1.6 per 1,000 residents—stand in stark contrast to the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000, highlighting Bearsted’s relatively safer environment for residents concerned about personal safety. However, the low overall crime rate does not eliminate the need for vigilance, particularly given the month-on-month increase in violent and public order offences. Residents may find the daily crime count (one per day) useful for contextualising the frequency of incidents. This comparison to the UK average and Bearsted’s own historical trends suggests that while the area is generally secure, specific crime types may require targeted local strategies to address emerging patterns.