Heathfield Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Heathfield (Wealden), three crimes were reported in November 2023, placing the area’s crime rate at 3.7 per 1,000—a figure 50.7% below the UK average of 7.5. This disparity underscores the area’s relatively safe environment compared to larger urban centres, where crime rates are typically higher due to denser populations and greater commercial activity. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (26.7% of total incidents), shoplifting (16.7%), and criminal damage and arson (13.3%). These trends align with Heathfield’s semi-rural character, where violent crime is often more concentrated in smaller communities and shoplifting may be driven by local retail hubs rather than major shopping districts. Seasonal factors also played a role: November’s darker evenings and Bonfire Night events may have influenced both public order crimes and anti-social behaviour, though the latter remained 52% below the UK average. Meanwhile, the low rate of vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000) suggests that the area’s sparse road networks and limited commuter traffic reduce opportunities for such offences. The crime profile also reflects the impact of Black Friday, with shoplifting rates dropping sharply in November, due to early seasonal sales or increased police patrols. Overall, Heathfield’s crime data illustrates a community with low baseline risks, where localized events and seasonal rhythms shape crime patterns in ways distinct from national trends.

November saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting decreasing by 44.4% (from 9 to 5 incidents) and violence and sexual offences falling by 42.9% (from 14 to 8). These declines may be influenced by the timing of Black Friday, which typically sees spikes in retail activity but also heightened police presence in shopping areas. Conversely, robbery and vehicle crime each rose by 100%, with one robbery and four vehicle crime incidents reported—both increases from zero in October. This uptick in vehicle-related crimes could be attributed to increased car usage during darker evenings, a common trend in rural areas during late autumn. The area’s violence rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents is 61% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 0.6 per 1,000 shoplifting rate, which is 9% above the national figure. These divergent trends highlight how localized factors, such as community engagement and seasonal events, shape crime dynamics differently than broader UK patterns.

Heathfield’s crime rate in November 2023 dropped 34.7% compared to October, falling from 5.6 to 3.7 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in rural and semi-rural areas during late autumn, where reduced foot traffic and seasonal events may contribute to lower crime exposure. Locally, the daily crime count averaged one incident per day over the month, a figure that reflects the area’s relatively low population density and limited commercial activity compared to urban centres. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 273 residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime is significantly lower than the UK average. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible benchmark for residents, showing that the risk of experiencing a crime is minimal in Heathfield compared to larger towns and cities. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that even with isolated incidents, the overall crime picture remains stable and manageable for the community.