Bearsted Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 in Bearsted revealed a stark contrast between violent and property crime, with the former dominating the local crime profile. The overall crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents placed the area 67.6% below the UK average, a disparity that underscores Bearsted's relative safety compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 68.4% of all reported crimes, with 13 incidents recorded—a figure that, while 38% below the UK average for this category, still highlights the area's vulnerability to interpersonal crime during the festive season. Property crimes, though fewer in number (5 incidents), showed a different pattern, with burglary and other theft each contributing 10.5% to the total. This imbalance may partly explain the area's lower overall rate, as property crimes often involve more targeted, less frequent incidents compared to violent crime. Seasonal factors likely played a role, with Christmas shopping peaks and extended evenings potentially increasing opportunities for theft and conflict. However, the area's low crime rate overall suggests that local community measures, combined with its built-up character within Maidstone, may act as a buffer against more severe crime trends. The breakdown also revealed that anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime were significantly below UK averages, with the former at 89% below and the latter at 75% below, pointing to a broader pattern of low-level disorder being effectively managed. These figures, when contextualised with Bearsted's population of 8,356, indicate that while violent crime remains a concern, the area's overall safety profile remains markedly better than the national average.

December 2024 saw a 30% month-on-month increase in violent crimes, rising from 10 to 13 incidents. This surge, though still 38% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, contrasts sharply with the 100% increases in burglary and other theft, which both doubled from previous month's figures. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime fell by 66.7% and 50% respectively, suggesting targeted interventions or seasonal factors may have curbed these categories. The dominance of violent crime—accounting for 68.4% of all reported incidents—raises questions about local social dynamics, particularly during the holiday season when public spaces may be more crowded and alcohol consumption higher. Bearsted's burglary rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents was 35% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area's compact, built-up nature, where homes are more likely to be occupied year-round compared to rural counterparts. For residents, the 30% rise in violent crime offers a tangible concern, even as the overall rate remains well below national levels. The data also shows that while property crime rates are low, their absolute increase from 5 to 13 incidents (though not directly stated) may indicate shifting patterns in criminal activity during the festive period.

Bearsted's December 2024 crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents marked a 32.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.4 per 1,000, reflecting a notable improvement in local safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while modest, highlights the persistent nature of even low-level criminal activity. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 440 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised with Bearsted's population of 8,356, suggests that residents face a much lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national average. The contrast with the previous month's higher rate may be attributed to seasonal factors, with the end of the festive period potentially reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the continued dominance of violent crime—despite the overall decline—remains a concern, as it indicates that efforts to address interpersonal violence may need further attention. The low levels of anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, which were 89% and 75% below UK averages respectively, further reinforce Bearsted's position as a relatively safe built-up area within Maidstone.