Cuckfield Crime Rate

Cuckfield maintains an impressive safety profile with an overall crime rate of 32.1 per 1,000 residents, supported by a high safety score of 92/100. This places the area well below the UK average crime rate of 91.7, marking it as one of the safer settlements in Mid Sussex. The local crime trend is currently classified as stable, showing a minor 4.3% increase year-over-year. Such figures reflect a secure residential environment where property crime is significantly less frequent than in the national context. While the safety score is significantly higher than the UK average of 79, understanding the specific types of crime that do occur remains essential for maintaining this high standard of community security.

Crime in Cuckfield

Crime in Cuckfield is predominantly characterised by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 58 incidents, representing 40.3% of all recorded crime. This equates to a rate of 12.9 per 1,000 residents. The next most frequent categories are criminal damage and arson at 13.9% and anti-social behaviour at 11.1%. Together, these three categories form the majority of local police activity.

Property-related crime in Cuckfield, which includes burglary, robbery, various forms of theft, and vehicle crime, remains notably low at 10.9 per 1,000 people. Within this category, vehicle crime is the most significant concern with 11 reported incidents, followed by other theft and burglary. While these figures are considerably lower than the UK average of 32.3 per 1,000, they still necessitate a level of vigilance for homeowners.

For residents and property owners, the data suggests that while the risk of serious property crime is statistically small, preventative measures are still advisable. Protecting vehicles and ensuring outbuildings are secure can further mitigate the risk of opportunistic theft, which remains the primary driver of property crime in this otherwise very safe Sussex village.

Crime Trends in Cuckfield

The crime trend in Cuckfield is currently classified as stable, with a year-over-year increase of 4.3%. This indicates a consistent safety profile for the village, with only minor fluctuations in the total number of recorded incidents. Monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that crime rates peaked in April 2025 at 4.7 per 1,000 residents and July 2025 at 4.2. These peaks are often associated with the transition into spring and summer months when outdoor activity increases.

Conversely, the safest month in the recorded period was November 2025, when the rate dropped to its lowest point of 1.3 per 1,000. Other low-activity months included January and February 2025, both recording a rate of 2.0. This seasonal pattern suggests that crime in Cuckfield is somewhat influenced by daylight hours and weather conditions. For residents, the stable trend is reassuring, suggesting that the village is not experiencing a significant surge in criminal activity. The consistency of these figures allows for predictable local policing and community safety initiatives.

How To Keep Safe in Cuckfield

The most prevalent crime type in Cuckfield is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for approximately 40% of local incidents. While the overall numbers are low, maintaining personal safety remains important.

Always be aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid shortcuts through unlit areas. If you are socialising in local venues, ensure you have a planned and safe route home.

For residential safety, given that criminal damage is the second most common crime, ensure your property is well-lit at night. Motion-activated lighting is an excellent deterrent for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Ensure that gates are locked and boundaries are secure to prevent unauthorised access to your garden or driveway.

Finally, keep your vehicle secure. Although vehicle crime is low, 46% of night-time incidents in Cuckfield involve cars. Remove all valuables from sight and ensure windows and doors are double-checked before leaving your vehicle overnight. Integrating a proactive security system can provide real-time alerts if someone approaches your vehicle after dark.

Crime Timing in Cuckfield

Analysis of crime timing in Cuckfield reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are most associated with theft-related offences, which comprise 28% and 36% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often coincide with the times when residents are at work or shopping, and commercial activity is at its peak.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts significantly. The evening period is dominated by 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 61% of incidents between 6pm and midnight. During the night (12am to 6am), vehicle crime becomes the primary concern, accounting for 46% of all recorded incidents. This overnight peak in vehicle crime highlights a specific vulnerability for cars parked on driveways or streets during the early hours. Burglaries are most evenly spread but see a slight elevation in the afternoon, likely targeting empty properties. Understanding these time-based risks allows residents to focus their security efforts, such as ensuring vehicle protection is at its highest during the late-night hours.

When comparing Cuckfield to its immediate neighbours, it sits within a very low-crime region. Nearby rural settlements such as Ansty, Staplefield, and Bolney all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 residents, reflecting their small populations and quiet nature. In contrast, the larger neighbouring town of Haywards Heath has a significantly higher crime rate of 55.7 per 1,000 people. This comparison positions Cuckfield as a middle ground—slightly more active than the smallest hamlets but considerably safer than the primary urban centre of Haywards Heath. For those considering the region, Cuckfield offers a balance of village life with a safety profile that is remarkably robust compared to both regional and national averages.

Protecting Your Property in Cuckfield

With a property crime rate of 10.9 per 1,000 residents, Cuckfield is statistically very safe, yet the presence of vehicle crime and burglary indicates that opportunistic threats still exist. Traditional security systems often rely on recording a crime as it happens, providing footage that is only useful after the event. For homeowners in Cuckfield, a shift towards proactive protection is recommended to maintain the area's high safety standards.

The scOS artificial intelligence operating system offers a different approach by focusing on prevention rather than reaction. By monitoring multiple camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify potential threats at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. Its ability to distinguish between family members, delivery drivers, and genuine intruders means you are only alerted to real risks. In a quiet area like Cuckfield, the autonomous response features—such as activating lights or audio deterrents—can destroy the element of surprise for a would-be intruder, often causing them to move on before any damage is done. Investing in proactive AI security ensures that your property remains a hard target, preserving the peace of mind that village life should provide.