Heathfield (Wealden) Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 saw Heathfield (Wealden) maintain a low crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000, a figure 46.9% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance aligns with the area's character as a built-up district within a larger rural administrative boundary, where lower population density and limited commercial activity likely contribute to reduced opportunities for crime. The most common offences were anti-social behaviour (39.3% of all incidents), followed by violence and sexual offences (21.4%) and other crime (10.7%). These patterns are consistent with the winter season, when colder weather and reduced outdoor activity may drive some crimes indoors or limit opportunities for theft and public order violations. The low overall rate is further supported by the absence of major retail or nightlife hubs, which typically correlate with higher shoplifting and violent crime rates in urban centres. However, the prominence of anti-social behaviour suggests that local social dynamics or community interactions may play a role in this category. While the area's crime profile remains generally stable, the seasonal context of February—as a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to the overall reduction in property-related offences. This stability is reinforced by the fact that violent crime rates in Heathfield are 70% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 43% above average rate for anti-social behaviour, which highlights the need for nuanced approaches to crime prevention tailored to local conditions.

February 2026 marked a sharp rise in vehicle crime, other crime, and robbery, each doubling from zero to one incident compared to the previous month. This spike in specific categories contrasts with broader declines in burglary, violence and sexual offences, and criminal damage, which fell by 66.7%, 40.0%, and 33.3% respectively. The area's anti-social behaviour rate of 1.3 per 1,000 is 43% above the UK average, a stark outlier that may reflect local dynamics such as community interactions or social events. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences in Heathfield are 70% below the UK average, suggesting a safer environment for public safety. This divergence in crime types highlights the need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing anti-social behaviour while maintaining the current success in reducing violent crime. A resident would find the 70% reduction in violence and sexual offences particularly reassuring, as it indicates a significant improvement in public safety metrics.

Heathfield's crime rate in February 2026 fell to 3.4 per 1,000, a 31.7% decrease from the previous month's 5.0 per 1,000. This decline places the area significantly below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a gap that widened from the prior month. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that reflects the low overall rate and suggests a stable environment for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 292 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. The population-scaled perspective shows that the area's crime levels remain well below national benchmarks, though the slight increases in vehicle crime and other categories highlight the need for continued vigilance. This reduction in crime aligns with seasonal patterns, as winter months typically see lower outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for property-related offences.