Bearsted Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted’s crime profile in January 2024 reveals a striking contrast to the UK average, with a total crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents—58.1% below the national figure of 7.4. This built-up area within Maidstone exhibits a markedly different pattern to the UK, where violent crimes dominate the crime mix. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 65.4% of all reported crimes, far outpacing property crimes (11.5%) and anti-social behaviour (7.7%). While the UK average for violence and sexual offences stands at 2.6 per 1,000, Bearsted’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000 is 23% lower, suggesting a relatively safer environment for this category. This divergence may reflect Bearsted’s character as a smaller, less densely populated built-up area compared to major urban centres, where violent crime tends to cluster. Seasonal factors also appear to influence the data: January, a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall, may have contributed to lower property crime rates but could have amplified domestic or community-based violent incidents. The low rate of anti-social behaviour—80% below the UK average—further underscores Bearsted’s distinct profile, linked to its quieter, more residential nature. However, the sharp rise in violent crimes compared to December raises questions about local dynamics, though no direct causal factors are evident in the data. The overall low crime rate suggests that Bearsted’s community may benefit from factors such as strong local policing, community engagement, or socio-economic stability, though further analysis would be needed to confirm these hypotheses.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in Bearsted’s crime profile, with violent crimes surging by 112.5% compared to December, rising from 8 to 17 incidents. This spike in violence and sexual offences—now accounting for two-thirds of all crimes—contrasts sharply with the UK average for this category, which remains 23% higher. Meanwhile, vehicle crime experienced a 200% increase, jumping from 1 to 3 incidents, marking one of the most dramatic month-on-month shifts. This rise could be attributed to seasonal factors, such as post-holiday vehicle usage or changes in parking patterns, though no definitive link is established in the data. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 80%, dropping from 5 to 1 incident, a decline that may reflect reduced outdoor activity during colder weather or heightened community vigilance. Bearsted’s vehicle crime rate of 0.4 per 1,000 is 20% below the UK average of 0.5, indicating a relatively safer environment for vehicle-related incidents. For residents, the sharp increase in violent crimes is a critical insight, highlighting the need for continued attention to local safety measures. These shifts in crime mix—from property to violent offences—suggest a combination of seasonal and local factors, though further investigation would be required to identify precise causes.

Bearsted’s crime rate in January 2024 (3.1 per 1,000) represents an 18.3% increase from December’s 2.6 per 1,000, though it remains substantially lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 321 residents, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents within this population of 8,356. On a daily basis, Bearsted recorded approximately one crime per day, a rate that is lower than many comparable areas. This daily figure, while localised, provides a tangible measure of the area’s safety: for a resident, the likelihood of encountering crime is significantly reduced compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to population size, the 3.1 per 1,000 rate means that fewer than 3% of Bearsted’s residents experienced a crime in January, a stark contrast to the UK average where over 7% of the population faces similar incidents. The 18.3% monthly increase, while significant, must be viewed against the backdrop of Bearsted’s consistently low crime rates. For context, the UK average in January 2024 was 7.4 per 1,000, meaning Bearsted’s residents face nearly half the risk of experiencing a crime compared to the national average. These comparative figures highlight Bearsted’s position as a relatively safe built-up area, though the rise in violent crimes underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of local trends.