Bearsted Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted's crime profile in March 2024 reveals a consistently low-risk environment, with a crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents—70.1% below the UK average. This stark contrast to national figures underscores the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement in maintaining safety. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.8% of all reported incidents, a rate 70% below the UK average for this category. Burglary and other theft followed closely, each contributing 10.5% of total crimes, both significantly below national benchmarks. The seasonal context of March—a transition to spring with longer evenings and the end of British Summer Time—may have influenced crime patterns, as increased visibility and community activity typically deter criminal behavior. However, the data also highlights the need for continued vigilance in areas where specific crime types, such as public order offences, have shown unexpected increases. The low overall rate suggests that Bearsted's built-up character within Maidstone, combined with its relatively small population, may contribute to its safety profile. While the area's retail presence and residential density could drive certain crime types, the overall figures indicate that local initiatives and environmental factors are likely playing a significant role in maintaining low crime levels.

March 2024 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with bicycle theft increasing by 100% to one reported incident—marking the first recorded case in the area for this category. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, is notable as it places bicycle theft 43% above the UK average for the same period. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 88.2%, a drop from 17 to 2 incidents, likely reflecting seasonal shifts as daylight hours lengthen and outdoor activity increases. Public order offences also surged by 100%, rising from zero to two incidents, a change that may be linked to the transition to spring and associated social behaviors. Meanwhile, shoplifting and anti-social behavior both fell by 50%, suggesting that targeted interventions or increased visibility in key areas may have had a measurable impact. These fluctuations highlight the need for residents to remain vigilant in areas where bicycle theft and public order incidents have emerged as new concerns.

Bearsted's crime rate in March 2024 stood at 2.3 per 1,000 residents, a 44.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.1 per 1,000. This decline positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with the overall rate 70.1% below the national average. On a daily basis, Bearsted recorded approximately one crime per day in March, a figure that translates to one reported crime occurring for every 440 residents over the course of the month. When scaled to the local population, this suggests a low likelihood of encountering crime for most residents. The drop in crime compared to February 2024 may reflect seasonal patterns, as the transition to spring typically sees increased daylight hours and community activity, potentially deterring criminal behavior. However, the monthly exposure metric remains a useful benchmark for residents to understand their personal risk profile in the context of Bearsted's population size.