Bearsted Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

July 2025 marked a notable shift in Bearsted's crime profile, with the area maintaining a crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—57% below the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This figure places Bearsted among the safest areas in the country, though the month's data reveals a combination of seasonal patterns and local dynamics. Violent crimes, which accounted for 54.8% of all reported incidents, rose sharply compared to previous months, while property crimes remained relatively low. The dominance of violence and sexual offences (17 cases) highlights a particular vulnerability during the summer months, a period when Bearsted's tourism and festival calendar typically brings increased foot traffic and outdoor activity. The seasonal context—schools out, festivals in full swing, and a surge in visitors—likely contributes to the heightened focus on violent incidents. Meanwhile, categories like anti-social behaviour (74% below UK average) and drugs (64% below UK average) remained significantly underrepresented, suggesting a broader pattern of low-level disorder and substance-related crime. This contrasts with the UK's national profile, where such categories are more commonly reported, indicating Bearsted's distinct demographic and geographic characteristics. The area's low crime rate may reflect its compact, built-up nature, which could foster stronger community ties and quicker police response times. However, the surge in violent crime during July raises questions about whether the summer season's unique pressures—such as increased alcohol consumption at events or the temporary influx of unfamiliar visitors—might be exacerbating tensions in public spaces.

The month-on-month changes in Bearsted's crime profile reveal stark contrasts. Violent crimes surged by 240% compared to June, jumping from 5 to 17 incidents—a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents, 34% below the UK average for this category. This spike, while still low nationally, underscores a troubling trend that warrants closer examination. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson cases jumped 300% (from 1 to 4), a category that was already 18% below the UK average. These increases may be tied to the area's summer festival season, where open-air events and temporary structures could create opportunities for vandalism. In contrast, vehicle crime fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), reflecting fewer cars on the road due to school holidays or reduced commuting. The overall crime mix also shifted: violent crimes now account for 54.8% of all incidents, compared to property crimes at 12.9%. This shift from property to violent crime is unusual for a small town and may indicate changing patterns in local policing or community dynamics. A resident might find the 74% shortfall in anti-social behaviour cases (3 incidents, compared to the UK average of 1.6 per 1,000) particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a generally low level of disruptive activity in Bearsted's public spaces despite its seasonal influx of visitors.

Bearsted's crime rate in July 2025 (3.7 per 1,000) represented a 106.1% increase from June's rate of 1.8 per 1,000—a significant jump that, while still far below the UK average, raises questions about underlying factors. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day in July, a figure that may feel more frequent to residents accustomed to the area's historically low crime levels. Over the course of the month, this translated to one reported crime for every 270 residents, a ratio that, when compared to the UK's broader context, illustrates Bearsted's exceptional safety. For perspective, if the UK's average crime rate were applied to Bearsted's population, the area would have seen approximately 70 reported crimes instead of the actual 31. This stark contrast highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies, community engagement, or other factors that keep Bearsted's crime rates consistently low. However, the 240% increase in violent crimes compared to June suggests that certain vulnerabilities—perhaps tied to the summer season's social dynamics—may be temporarily intensifying. While the area's overall safety remains evident, the month-on-month shift serves as a reminder that even low-crime environments can experience fluctuations, particularly during periods of increased activity and transient populations.