Bearsted Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted’s crime rate in August 2024 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 53.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This gap reflects the area’s generally low crime profile, which is consistent with its status as a built-up area within Maidstone—a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail spaces. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.5% of total), followed by shoplifting (15.6%) and other theft (15.6%). These figures align with Bearsted’s character as a community where local policing and a relatively stable population may contribute to lower crime levels. Seasonal factors, however, appear to influence specific categories: August’s peak holiday period may have increased the risk of burglary in empty homes, though no such trend is evident in the data. The UK-wide context also reveals that Bearsted’s violent crime rate is 48% below the national average, while shoplifting is 15% below. This suggests that Bearsted’s residents benefit from both proactive policing and the area’s demographic stability, which may deter more serious crimes. However, the 53.7% deficit compared to the UK average does not eliminate the need for vigilance, particularly as month-on-month changes in August highlight the potential for localized spikes in certain crime types.

August 2024 saw a 400% increase in other thefts, rising from one incident to five, a spike that may reflect heightened opportunism during the summer holiday season. Vehicle crime also doubled from zero to four, a change that could be linked to increased car usage or temporary vehicle storage in the area. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 20%, dropping from 15 to 12, a decline that aligns with Bearsted’s broader trend of being 48% below the UK average for this category. The sharp rise in other thefts and vehicle crime contrasts with the UK’s overall rates, where both categories are typically lower. For residents, the 400% surge in other thefts serves as a practical reminder to secure valuables, particularly during periods of high foot traffic. Meanwhile, the 68% deficit in public order offences compared to the UK average suggests Bearsted’s community policing efforts may be effective in curbing disorderly conduct.

Bearsted’s crime rate in August 2024 (3.8 per 1,000 residents) sits 53.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a gap that underscores the area’s relative safety compared to the national picture. This disparity persists despite a 45.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 2.6 per 1,000, which suggests local factors—rather than a broader trend—are at play. On a daily basis, Bearsted recorded roughly one crime per day in August, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 261 residents. While this ratio is low, the 45.6% month-on-month rise highlights the need for continued vigilance. The population context further clarifies these numbers: with 8,356 residents, the 32 total crimes reported in August represent a manageable burden for local services. However, the upward trend from July’s rate may indicate seasonal shifts, such as increased foot traffic during the peak holiday period, which could influence crime patterns in ways not yet fully captured by the data.