Heathfield (Wealden) Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 28 crimes, equating to a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents—52.8% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s relative safety compared to the national picture, though the crime profile reflects local dynamics. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (21.4% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson, each accounting for 21.4% of reported incidents. These figures align with the seasonal rhythm of December, a month marked by Christmas shopping, extended dark evenings, and the potential for empty homes during holidays, which may contribute to certain crime patterns. While property crimes (13 incidents) slightly outnumbered violent crimes (6), the overall balance suggests a lower prevalence of serious offences compared to the UK average. The low rate of burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and drug-related incidents (0.1 per 1,000) further underscores the area’s distinct character. Heathfield’s crime picture is shaped by its likely status as a smaller, built-up area within Wealden, where community cohesion and lower population density may play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and the small but notable increase in burglary and drug-related crimes indicate that local factors—such as seasonal pressures or transient populations—could influence specific trends.

December 2023 saw notable shifts in Heathfield’s crime profile. Anti-social behaviour rose by 50%, climbing from four to six incidents, while burglary and drug-related crimes each increased by 100%, both moving from zero to one reported incident. These spikes contrast with a 25% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from eight to six. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark divergence from the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Heathfield were 73% below the national rate, while criminal damage and arson were 25% above. This mix of trends suggests a combination of local factors and broader patterns. For residents, the rise in anti-social behaviour may indicate heightened tensions during the festive season, though the overall crime rate remains far below the UK average. The absence of any reported robberies or public order offences compared to the UK average also points to a distinct local profile, potentially shaped by the area’s character as a quieter, less densely populated built-up area.

Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 28 crimes in December 2023, a slight decline from the previous month’s rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents to 3.4 per 1,000. This corresponds to approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for roughly every 292 residents. While this figure may seem low, it is important to contextualise it within the area’s population of 8,182. The daily crime count suggests that incidents are infrequent enough that most residents would not encounter a crime in a given day, though the seasonal context of December—dark evenings, holiday-related activity, and empty homes—could influence patterns. The monthly exposure figure, while not directly comparable to UK-wide data, highlights that the area’s crime rate remains significantly lower than the national average, reinforcing its relative safety compared to other parts of the country. This low frequency of incidents aligns with the area’s likely character as a smaller, more tightly knit community where crime may be less prevalent due to strong local ties and lower population density.