Wealden Crime Rate

Wealden is a notably safe district, featuring an overall crime rate of 51.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a high safety score of 88/100. While the area remains secure by national standards, there has been an 8.8% increase in reported incidents over the last year. This trend suggests that while Wealden is a peaceful community, residents and business owners should stay informed about local shifts in activity. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of the most common crimes, analysis of monthly trends, and comparisons with nearby areas, helping the community maintain its high standard of safety across the district's diverse towns and villages.

About Wealden

Wealden is a predominantly rural and suburban local authority district in East Sussex, known for its high quality of life and scenic landscapes, including parts of the High Weald and the South Downs. The area is characterized by a series of small towns and numerous villages, which influences its crime profile. Economic activity is diverse, ranging from agriculture and tourism to a growing number of professional services and small businesses. The district's transport links, including major A-roads and rail connections to London and the coast, can occasionally attract transient criminal activity. Population density is relatively low compared to neighbouring urban centres, which generally contributes to the area's high safety score. However, the presence of popular tourist destinations and commercial hubs in towns like Hailsham, Crowborough, and Uckfield creates areas of higher activity where crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are more frequent. The overall safety of Wealden is a key draw for families and retirees, but the recent increasing crime trend suggests that even in such desirable areas, proactive security remains an important consideration for residents and businesses alike.

Crime in Wealden

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Wealden, accounting for 34.6% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.9% and shoplifting at 9.1%. When looking at property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and all categories of theft—the rate is 16.7 per 1,000 residents. This property crime rate is significantly lower than the UK national average of 32.3, indicating that Wealden is a relatively safe environment for property owners. Criminal damage and arson (8.5%) and other theft (6.6%) are also notable concerns. For residents, these statistics show that while personal safety and community conduct are the primary statistical issues, property-related offences are less frequent but still present. Maintaining consistent home and business security is essential to keep these figures low and preserve the district's reputation for safety.

Crime Trends in Wealden

The crime rate in Wealden has seen a steady 8.8% increase year-over-year. Analyzing the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 reveals a gradual rise throughout the year. The year began with a rate of 3.4 in December, reaching a peak of 5.0 in August. Activity remained elevated through the autumn, with rates between 4.0 and 4.3 from September to November. This upward trend suggests that crime is becoming slightly more frequent in the district. For residents, this shift highlights the importance of staying vigilant and ensuring that security measures are up to date. Monitoring these monthly fluctuations can help the community better understand local crime patterns and take proactive steps to maintain the high level of safety that Wealden is known for.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Wealden's crime rate of 51.2 is higher than the 0.0 rates reported for Lewes, Eastbourne, Rother, Mid Sussex, Tunbridge Wells, and Brighton and Hove in this specific dataset. While these 0.0 figures likely reflect differences in data reporting for those areas, Wealden's own rate remains exceptionally low when compared to the UK average. For those seeking a safe and peaceful local authority district in East Sussex, Wealden offers a very high level of security across its mix of rural and suburban environments, making it a premier choice for residents and businesses alike.

Property owners in Wealden benefit from a property crime rate of 16.7 per 1,000, which is significantly better than the national average. However, the 8.8% increase in overall crime suggests that proactive security is a wise investment for both homes and businesses. Traditional security systems are reactive; they provide you with a recording of an incident after it has occurred. For true peace of mind, proactive protection is superior. An AI-powered system like scOS monitors your property boundary in real-time, using multi-camera intelligence to identify genuine threats before they become crimes. By distinguishing between routine activity and suspicious patterns, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as lighting or audio warnings—to deter an intruder immediately. This approach is particularly effective against burglary and vehicle crime, ensuring that your property is an active deterrent rather than just a witness. Investing in professional-grade AI security helps maintain Wealden's high safety standards by preventing crime before it can happen.

How To Keep Safe in Wealden

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Wealden, followed by anti-social behaviour. To stay safe across the district:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when in busier town centres or using public transport hubs, particularly during the evening and night.
2. Ensure that your home and business premises are always secure; even in safe areas like Wealden, opportunistic theft can occur if properties are left unsecured.
3. Use well-lit routes when walking at night and avoid poorly lit or isolated areas in both urban and rural parts of the district.
4. If you own a business, consider enhancing your security to deter shoplifting, which is the third most common crime in the area.
5. Report any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police to help maintain the district's high safety standards and address the recent upward trend in crime.