Broad Oak (Wealden) Crime Rate

Broad Oak (Wealden) is a notably safe and tranquil urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a high degree of security for its 1,480 residents. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 92/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of only 33.1 per 1,000 people, it is well below the national average of 91.6. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a stable trend in safety, with only a minor 4.3% change in total crimes over the last year. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, confirms that Broad Oak is one of the most secure locations in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which remain low.

In Broad Oak, the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 42.9% of all incidents at a rate of 14.2 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by other theft (16.3%) and anti-social behaviour (12.2%). These figures are very low compared to national averages, reflecting the area's quiet, rural character.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Broad Oak maintains a low rate of 12.2 per 1,000 people. This is roughly one-third of the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for a significant 10.2% of total crime (3.4 per 1,000), while vehicle crime is at 4.1%. For homeowners, this indicates that residential security is a key priority, as the burglary rate is notably high compared to other crime types in the area. The data shows that 44% of burglaries and 27% of vehicle crimes occur at night, highlighting the need for robust overnight protection.

Broad Oak's crime trend is stable, with a minor 4.3% year-over-year increase in total reported incidents. This indicates that the area's high level of safety is being consistently maintained. Analysis of the monthly trendData for 2025 reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 fluctuated between a low of 0.7 in September and a peak of 4.7 in November. Other notable months include April and June, both recording 4.1 per 1,000. The rest of the year remained consistently low, with most months recording between 1.4 and 3.4. For residents, this overall stability, combined with consistently low monthly rates, reinforces Broad Oak's reputation as a highly secure and peaceful community.

How To Keep Safe in Broad Oak (Wealden)

The most common crime in Broad Oak is violence and sexual offences, though this occurs at a rate much lower than the national average. To help maintain the safety of this community, consider the following advice:

• Given that burglary is a notable part of local crime, ensure your home is fully secured with robust locks and consider an advanced alarm system.
• Be mindful of home security during the evening and night, as 81% of the area's burglaries occur during these hours.
• Install motion-sensor lighting around the perimeter of your property to deter the 44% of burglaries and 27% of vehicle crimes that happen at night.
• Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and tools are kept in locked sheds or garages, as 'other theft' is one of the more common property-related risks in the area.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local Wealden police, as this helps maintain the village's high safety score and prevents minor issues from escalating.

Crime in Broad Oak follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and night-time hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 62-64% of all activity. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur during the day when properties may be unoccupied. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property security; despite low overall volume, 44% of burglaries and 27% of vehicle crimes occur during these hours. This indicates that homes and vehicles are most at risk when the village is quietest, highlighting the need for robust overnight security measures.

Broad Oak is situated in a very low-crime part of East Sussex. When compared to the larger town of Heathfield, which has a crime rate of 42.7 per 1,000, Broad Oak is significantly safer at 33.1. Several nearby hamlets, including Cade Street, Punnett's Town, and Burwash Common, all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small, rural populations. Broad Oak's slightly higher rate is due to its larger population and status as a village centre. For residents in the area, Broad Oak offers a peaceful residential environment that is significantly quieter than the busier urban environment of Heathfield while maintaining a village hub atmosphere.

With a property crime rate of 12.2 per 1,000 and a burglary rate of 3.4 per 1,000, Broad Oak residents should take home security seriously. Traditional security systems, like Ring or Nest, are often reactive; they only provide footage after a crime has occurred. For an area like Broad Oak, where burglary is a notable risk, proactive protection is a better investment. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to identify and stop threats at the property line. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your home's exterior in real-time, recognizing residents and regular visitors while flagging suspicious behaviour. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights or audio alerts, deterring a potential intruder before they even approach your door. This proactive approach is particularly effective against the night-time burglary risk.