Bearsted Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted's crime profile in October 2024 reveals a stark contrast to national trends, with a crime rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents — 71.6% below the UK average of 8.1. This marked discrepancy suggests a fundamentally different local context, possibly shaped by Bearsted's status as a built-up area within Maidstone, where community cohesion and local policing may contribute to sustained low crime levels. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 52.6% of total reported incidents, followed by other theft (15.8%) and other crime (10.5%). These figures align with patterns seen in smaller, densely populated areas where interpersonal disputes and targeted thefts are more common than in sprawling urban centres. Seasonal factors may also have played a role: October's shorter daylight hours and Halloween festivities could have influenced both the timing and nature of reported incidents, though the overall rate remains exceptionally low. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.7 per 1,000 — 55% higher than Bearsted's rate — highlighting the area's relative safety in this category. The low incidence of property crime (26.3% of total) further supports the notion of a community where social trust and local awareness may act as deterrents. While these figures are encouraging, they should be viewed in the context of Bearsted's small population (8,356 residents), where even minor fluctuations can have outsized statistical impacts.

October 2024 saw dramatic shifts in Bearsted's crime mix, with three categories experiencing 100% month-on-month increases. Other theft and other crime both rose from zero to 3 and 2 incidents respectively, while public order offences doubled from zero to 1. This sharp uptick in non-violent crimes may reflect seasonal factors such as Halloween-related activity or increased foot traffic in local areas. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 80% — from 5 to 1 incident — potentially linked to reduced parking density during the month or heightened community vigilance. The violent crime category (10 incidents) remained the largest single category, though it was 55% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. This 100% increase in other theft is particularly noteworthy for residents, as it suggests a need for continued awareness around personal property security despite the overall low crime rate. The stark contrast between violent crime (which remains significantly below the UK average) and the rise in other theft underscores the combination of local dynamics and seasonal influences, with no single factor clearly explaining the shifts observed.

Bearsted's crime rate in October 2024 (2.3 per 1,000 residents) represents a 13.7% decline from the previous month's rate of 2.6 — a modest but consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly one crime per 31 days, which is a local metric specific to Bearsted and not directly comparable to UK-wide figures. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 440 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides context for how often crime might intersect with daily life in Bearsted. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Bearsted's crime rate is exceptionally low compared to national standards, with its overall rate 71.6% below the UK average. This gap is even more pronounced in specific categories: violent crime is 55% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 92% below. These figures suggest that Bearsted's small size and potentially tight-knit community structure may contribute to its consistently low crime profile. The 13.7% month-on-month decrease, while modest, reinforces the area's position as one of the safest in the UK, despite the recent spikes in certain non-violent crime categories.