Hurst Green (Rother) Crime Rate

Hurst Green (Rother) is a highly secure urban settlement, boasting a safety score of 86/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 78. The area’s overall crime rate stands at 53.2 per 1,000 residents, well below the national average of 93.1. Despite these positive figures, it is important to note that crime has seen a notable increase of 43.6% year-over-year, indicating a shift from an exceptionally low base. With a population of 1,484, the community remains relatively small and peaceful, but the rising trend suggests that residents should remain vigilant. Understanding the local crime dynamics is crucial for maintaining the area's high safety standards.

In Hurst Green (Rother), violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 43.0% of all reported incidents with 34 recorded cases. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 15.2%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 12.7%. When looking at property crime as a whole—encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—the area has a rate of 18.9 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. While the overall crime rate is low, the prevalence of criminal damage and arson suggests that homeowners should be aware of risks to the exterior of their properties. The low burglary and vehicle crime rates are encouraging, but the dominance of violence and ASB indicates that community-focused safety and public order are the primary local concerns for residents.

Hurst Green has experienced a sharp increase in crime over the past year, with a 43.6% rise in total offences. Monthly data reveals that this trend was particularly driven by spikes in March 2025 (7.4 per 1,000) and the latter part of the year, with September and October both recording rates of 6.1. In contrast, January and February 2025 were very quiet, with rates as low as 1.4. This volatility suggests that while the area is generally very safe, there have been specific periods of heightened activity. For residents, the significant year-over-year increase is a signal to be more proactive with security, even if the overall crime rate remains low by national standards. Monitoring these monthly patterns can help the community stay alert during typically busier months.

How To Keep Safe in Hurst Green (Rother)

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime types in Hurst Green. While the overall numbers are low, personal safety and community awareness are the best defences.

1. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking through the village at night, and try to use well-lit routes where possible.
2. Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about recent incidents and share safety tips with fellow residents.
3. Ensure that your home's exterior is well-maintained and adequately lit; motion-sensor lighting can be a highly effective deterrent for anti-social behaviour.
4. If you witness anti-social behaviour or criminal damage, report it promptly to the local authorities to help them allocate resources effectively.
5. Keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure it is locked at all times, as vehicle crime remains a persistent, albeit small, concern in the area.

Crime in Hurst Green follows a varied schedule, with different offences peaking at different times. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is the most significant concern, accounting for 33% and 36% of incidents respectively. Burglary risks are highest in the afternoon at 26% and remain significant at night (24%). Vehicle crime shows a clear peak during the night-time hours (12am - 6am), where it represents 37% of all recorded offences. Evening hours are often dominated by 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which make up 50% of reports between 6pm and 12am. This data suggests that while property is most at risk during the day and late at night, the evening is more prone to social disturbances. Residents should adapt their security focus based on these temporal shifts.

Compared to other areas in the Rother region, Hurst Green (53.2 per 1,000) is a very safe choice. It is notably safer than Robertsbridge (70.4) and Hawkhurst (62.8). While it does not match the zero-crime records of Etchingham and Flimwell, those areas are significantly smaller. Hurst Green offers a balanced profile of a larger settlement with a crime rate that remains far below the national average. For those looking for a safe residential area in East Sussex, Hurst Green ranks highly, though the recent upward trend in crime is something to monitor when comparing it to its nearest neighbours.

Hurst Green’s property crime rate of 18.9 per 1,000 residents is low, but the recent 43.6% increase in overall crime suggests that a proactive approach to security is becoming more important. Traditional security measures like Ring or Nest are often reactive, providing you with a recording of a crime after it has already occurred. In contrast, scOS is a proactive AI-powered operating system designed to prevent crime before it starts. By monitoring your property's boundary in real-time, scOS can detect and deter potential intruders before they even reach your door. Its multi-camera intelligence and autonomous responses—such as activating lighting or audio warnings—destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Hurst Green residents, scOS offers the peace of mind that comes from a system that never blinks and is designed to intervene, not just witness. Investing in proactive protection is the most effective way to ensure your home remains safe as local trends shift.