Hailsham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hailsham's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, placing it 21.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the area's character as a relatively low-crime environment, though the monthly data reveals nuanced patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.8% of all incidents, with 47 recorded cases—2.3 per 1,000 residents. This rate is 12% below the UK average for the category, a divergence that may reflect Hailsham's smaller population and the influence of local policing strategies. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 16.5% of total crimes, a figure consistent with the UK average. Seasonal context suggests that the post-holiday period contributed to lower retail footfall, which may have reduced opportunities for shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000, 47% below UK average). However, the built-up area's proximity to Wealden's broader rural landscape could also explain the relatively low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000, 44% below UK average), as rural isolation may deter certain types of property crime. The overall crime profile suggests a balance between community factors and environmental influences, with the area's lower population density likely playing a role in maintaining its below-average position relative to the UK.

The most dramatic monthly shift in January 2024 was the 900% increase in 'other theft' crimes, rising from one incident to ten. This category includes unclassified thefts that do not fall under shoplifting or vehicle crime, suggesting potential gaps in reporting or evolving criminal tactics. Concurrently, 'other crime' and 'possession of weapons' both doubled from zero to one and zero to two incidents respectively, highlighting emerging trends that warrant closer attention. These increases contrast with declines in 'drugs' (-50%) and 'criminal damage and arson' (-8.3%), which may reflect seasonal patterns such as post-holiday reductions in substance-related incidents or fewer opportunities for property damage during colder weather. Violent crimes remained 12% below the UK average, with 47 incidents reported—2.3 per 1,000 residents. This divergence from national trends could be linked to Hailsham's built-up area status, where community policing and localised social dynamics may contribute to lower rates of violent crime compared to more densely populated urban centres.

Hailsham's crime rate in January 2024 rose 18.7% from the previous month's 4.9 per 1,000 to 5.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. This equates to roughly four reported crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 171 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than the UK average. While the increase is modest, it contrasts with the area's consistent performance below the national benchmark, which has held steady at 21.6% below the UK rate. This suggests that local factors—such as the built-up area's character, seasonal dynamics, and community engagement—may be exerting a stabilising influence on crime levels despite the month-on-month rise. The daily crime count, though low, serves as a reminder that even small fluctuations can be meaningful in a relatively small population.