Forest Row Crime Rate

Forest Row presents a complex safety profile with an overall crime rate of 117.5 per 1,000 residents, which is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6. Despite this figure, the area maintains a safety score of 79/100, aligning perfectly with the national average. This discrepancy is largely due to the high concentration of shoplifting, which inflates the total crime count without necessarily impacting personal safety to the same degree. However, the area has seen a significant increasing trend, with a 61.7% rise in reported incidents year-over-year. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, provides a detailed look at the evolving security landscape in this Wealden settlement, helping residents understand the specific risks in their neighbourhood.

Crime in Forest Row is predominantly driven by shoplifting, which accounts for a significant 48.4% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 56.9 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 20.0% and anti-social behaviour at 9.2%. When examining property-related crime—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, criminal damage, and vehicle crime—the rate stands at 74.6 per 1,000 people. This is substantially higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2.

For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while violent crime is present, the primary concern is acquisitive crime affecting local businesses and public spaces. Burglary rates remain relatively low at 3.0 per 1,000, but the high volume of other theft and criminal damage indicates a need for robust perimeter security. Protecting your home and belongings requires a focus on deterring opportunistic theft, which makes up the bulk of the area's criminal activity.

The crime trend in Forest Row is currently on a steep upward trajectory, with a year-over-year increase of 61.7%. This significant rise suggests a shift in the local security environment over the last twelve months. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with notable peaks in June (11.8 per 1,000) and a yearly high in October (12.3 per 1,000). Conversely, July, August, and September saw slightly lower activity, averaging around 8.7 per 1,000. The sharp increase in October followed by a relatively high December (9.5) indicates that the upward trend remained persistent through the end of the year. For residents, this volatility highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security measures regardless of the season.

How To Keep Safe in Forest Row

Shoplifting is the most prevalent crime in Forest Row, accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents. While this primarily affects businesses, the high volume of theft-related activity can impact the overall security feel of the area. To stay safe and protect your property, consider the following advice:

• Be vigilant in commercial areas and keep personal belongings secure and out of sight, as high retail crime can sometimes lead to opportunistic personal theft.
• If you run a local business, ensure you have high-quality digital surveillance and clear signage, which acts as a primary deterrent for shoplifters.
• For homeowners, the prevalence of theft in the area suggests that garden equipment, bicycles, and items left in vehicles should be securely locked away, as these are easy targets for opportunistic offenders.
• Engage with local community watch schemes to stay informed about recent theft patterns or suspicious individuals operating in the Forest Row high street area.

Crime patterns in Forest Row are heavily influenced by its retail activity, with the highest concentration of offences occurring during daylight hours. The morning and afternoon periods both see theft (primarily shoplifting) making up 51% of all activity. As the shops close, the nature of crime shifts; the evening and night hours see a significant drop in theft but a rise in more serious property crimes. Specifically, the night period between 12am and 6am accounts for 25% of all burglaries and 16% of vehicle crimes. This suggests that while the town centre is busiest with crime during the day, residential security is most at risk during the late-night hours when foot traffic is minimal.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Forest Row has a significantly higher crime rate. Ashurst Wood, just a short distance away, records a rate of 49.4 per 1,000, while the larger town of East Grinstead sits at 57.6. In contrast, the nearby rural settlements of Upper Hartfield and Chelwood Gate report 0.0 crimes per 1,000, reflecting their smaller populations and lack of commercial centres. Forest Row's higher rate is primarily due to its role as a local shopping destination, which attracts a higher volume of retail-related offences compared to these more residential or rural areas. For those looking for the quietest surroundings, the adjacent villages offer a much lower crime profile.

With a property crime rate of 74.6 per 1,000, Forest Row residents face a higher-than-average risk of acquisitive crime. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, often fail because they are reactive; they record a crime as it happens or alert you after the intruder has already gained entry. To truly secure a home in Forest Row, a proactive approach is essential. The scOS AI-powered operating system represents a shift in home security by identifying potential threats at your property boundary. By using multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine threat. Instead of providing footage of a burglary for the police, scOS aims to prevent the incident entirely through autonomous responses like light activation and audible warnings, destroying the element of surprise that most criminals rely on.