Hailsham Crime Rate

Crime in Hailsham

Hailsham is a secure and generally quiet market town in Wealden, currently holding a high safety score of 83/100. This places it above the UK average of 79, reflecting a safe environment for its 20,712 residents. The overall crime rate in Hailsham is 74.3 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly lower than the national average of 91.6. However, it is important to note that the crime trend is currently increasing, with a 20.5% rise recorded year-over-year. This upward movement, while starting from a low base, suggests that residents should be more aware of local security. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime occurring in the area and when they are most likely to happen.

Crime Breakdown in Hailsham

In Hailsham, the criminal landscape is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.9% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 24.2% and criminal damage and arson at 8.8%. These top three categories reflect the challenges of a busy market town with a significant residential population.

Property-related crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 20.5 per 1,000 residents. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.2, it represents a substantial portion of local activity. Specifically, shoplifting accounts for 7.2% of total crime, followed by 'other theft' at 5.9%. Vehicle crime and burglary are relatively low at 2.8% and 2.1% respectively. For residents, this means that while the risk of a residential break-in is low, there is a higher prevalence of social-related crime and retail theft. Local businesses should remain vigilant, while homeowners should focus on general property maintenance and perimeter security to deter anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

Crime Trends in Hailsham

The crime trend in Hailsham is currently increasing, with a 20.5% rise year-over-year. This upward trajectory is an important factor for residents to monitor, even though overall crime remains below national levels. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 reveals that the year began with moderate activity, recording 4.3 crimes per 1,000 in January. The rate saw a steady increase through the spring and summer, reaching its peak of 8.0 in August.

Following this summer high, the crime rate fluctuated, dropping back to 4.9 in September before another spike in November to 7.8 per 1,000. The year ended with a rate of 6.2 in December. These fluctuations suggest that while there is some seasonal variation, the overall trend is one of gradual increase. For a busy market town, these monthly changes can be significant, reinforcing the need for consistent awareness and security.

How To Keep Safe in Hailsham

The most common crime in Hailsham is violence and sexual offences, representing 35.9% of all reported incidents. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour (24.2%) and criminal damage (8.8%) are also specific concerns for the local community.

To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings when walking in the town centre, particularly during the evening, and stick to well-lit routes. Sharing your location with a trusted contact if you are out late is a simple but effective precaution. Secondly, with shoplifting and theft also present, keep your personal belongings secure when in crowded places. Thirdly, ensure your home is well-secured with high-quality locks and consider installing motion-activated lighting to deter opportunistic anti-social behaviour. Finally, staying active in local neighbourhood watch schemes and keeping in touch with your neighbours is one of the best ways to maintain Hailsham’s safety record. Vigilance and community connection are the most effective tools for keeping the town safe.

Time Patterns of Crime in Hailsham

Crime in Hailsham shows distinct temporal trends, particularly concerning theft and vehicle-related offences. During the morning hours (6am - 12pm), theft is a major factor, accounting for 45% of reported incidents, while vehicle crime also appears at 11%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft remains high at 49%, while burglary peaks at 12%. This indicates that properties and personal items are most vulnerable during the middle of the day.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), burglary remains a key concern at 11%, while 'other' crimes (including anti-social behaviour) rise to 60%. Overnight (12am - 6am), the focus shifts significantly towards vehicle crime, which accounts for 30% of all reported incidents. Burglary also reaches its daily peak at 14% during the night. These patterns highlight that while daytime is a risk for theft, the late-night and early-morning hours are when vehicles are most vulnerable in Hailsham.

Nearby Area Comparison

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Hailsham presents a mixed safety profile. Its crime rate of 74.3 is higher than Hellingly (66.7) and Upper Dicker (32.3). Nearby Magham Down and Lower Dicker both reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, representing an exceptionally high level of safety. While Hailsham remains a safe settlement in the context of the broader UK, these local comparisons highlight that it is a busier area for criminal activity than some of its closest Wealden neighbours. This is expected given its role as a primary commercial centre for the region.

Proactive Security for Hailsham Residents

With a property crime rate of 20.5 per 1,000 people and a 20.5% increase in overall crime, Hailsham homeowners should consider more advanced security measures. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV or DIY alarms are reactive—they notify you after a window is broken or provide footage of a crime that has already occurred. This approach provides evidence but does not prevent the incident from happening.

Proactive protection, such as the scOS AI-powered operating system, offers a different approach. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats before they reach your home. This is particularly valuable in a busy market town like Hailsham. scOS can distinguish between residents and suspicious loiterers, and can even verify vehicle plates. If a threat is detected at night, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and speakers, stopping a crime at the boundary and keeping your home and vehicles secure.