Bearsted Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Bearsted's overall crime rate in February 2026 stood at 2.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 59.4% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This marked a significant improvement in safety compared to the national picture, with the area's crime profile showing a distinct focus on violent and anti-social incidents. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 50% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.7%. These figures align with the seasonal context of February, a winter month characterised by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in social gatherings. The relatively low property crime rate—just 3 incidents compared to 11 violent crimes—suggests a pattern consistent with areas where community cohesion and local policing efforts may contribute to lower theft rates. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the prominence of violence and sexual offences highlights a need for targeted interventions in this category. The seasonal factors of February, with its limited daylight hours and colder temperatures, may partly explain the lower prevalence of outdoor crimes such as burglary or shoplifting, which typically peak during warmer months or holiday periods. This data underscores Bearsted's position as a built-up area within Maidstone where violent crime remains a priority for local authorities, despite the broader trend of reduced crime rates compared to the national average.

February 2026 saw notable reductions in several crime categories compared to January, with violence and sexual offences decreasing by 21.4% (from 14 to 11 incidents). This decline may reflect the seasonal lull in social activity typical of winter months, though the absolute number of violent incidents remains a concern given their dominance in the crime profile. Other theft and shoplifting both fell by 50%, aligning with the reduced foot traffic and retail activity associated with February. Conversely, drug-related crimes surged by 100% (from 0 to 2 incidents), while other crime and burglary each saw a 100% increase from zero to one incident. These spikes in drug and burglary offences contrast with the broader downward trend, suggesting potential shifts in criminal activity patterns that warrant further local analysis. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Bearsted (1.3 per 1,000) was 44% below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000, indicating that while the category remains a priority, the area's performance in this domain is comparatively strong. Anti-social behaviour also fell significantly, with its rate at 0.6 per 1,000—34% below the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. This suggests that community-focused initiatives may be contributing to a reduction in disruptive incidents, even as other categories show unexpected increases.

Bearsted's February 2026 crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 29.1% decline from the previous month's rate of 3.7 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent downward trend in local crime. On a daily basis, this translated to approximately 1 crime reported each day in February, a figure that, while low, highlights the need for continued vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 380 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. The population-scaled perspective reinforces Bearsted's status as a relatively safe built-up area within Maidstone, with the local rate continuing to outperform national benchmarks. While the previous month's rate was higher, the February figure demonstrates that the area's crime prevention efforts may be gaining traction. However, the 100% increase in drug-related crimes and burglary from zero to one incident each suggests that certain vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. These figures, when considered alongside the overall decline, illustrate a combination of local initiatives and persistent challenges in specific crime categories.