Herstmonceux Crime Rate

Herstmonceux is a safe urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a secure environment for its 1,604 residents. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 87/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of 53.6 per 1,000 people, Herstmonceux is well below the national average of 91.6. While there has been a significant increasing trend of 104.8% year-over-year, this is largely due to the area's very low baseline figures. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, highlights Herstmonceux as a secure location in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which are remarkably low compared to national norms.

In Herstmonceux, the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 43.0% of all incidents at a rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (24.4%) and public order offences (11.6%). Together, these three types make up nearly 80% of all police activity in the area.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Herstmonceux maintains a low rate of 8.7 per 1,000 people. This is roughly one-quarter of the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for 2.3% of total crime (1.2 per 1,000), and vehicle crime is also at 2.3%. For homeowners, this indicates that the risk of serious acquisitive crime is very low. The primary property-related concern is 'other theft,' suggesting that opportunistic stealing of unsecured items is the main risk, rather than forced residential entry. However, with 40% of vehicle crimes occurring at night, driveway security is a key priority for residents.

Herstmonceux's crime trend shows a significant 104.8% increase in total reported incidents over the last year. While this percentage increase is high, it reflects a move from an extremely low baseline to a more typical village crime profile. Analysis of the monthly trendData for 2025 reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 fluctuated between a low of 3.1 in October and a peak of 5.6 in May and August. Other notable months include January, April, June, November, and December, all recording rates between 4.4 and 5.0 per 1,000. This suggests that while there is more activity than in previous years, the monthly rate remains consistently low and stable. For residents, this overall increase highlights the importance of maintaining sensible security measures throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Herstmonceux

The most common crime in Herstmonceux is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. To maintain your personal safety and contribute to the community's security, consider these tips:

• Report any persistent anti-social behaviour to the local Wealden police, as early intervention can prevent these issues from escalating.
• Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and tools are kept in locked sheds or garages, as 'other theft' is one of the more common property-related risks in the area.
• Be mindful of home security during the afternoon, as 20% of the area's few burglaries occur during these hours when residents may be away.
• Install motion-sensor lighting around the perimeter of your property to deter the 40% of vehicle crimes and 25% of burglaries that happen at night.
• For those with outbuildings or garages, ensure they are fitted with robust locks, as these can be secondary targets for opportunistic theft in rural settlements.

Crime in Herstmonceux follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and evening hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 53-55% of all activity. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur during the day when properties may be unoccupied. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property security; despite low overall volume, 40% of vehicle crimes and 25% of burglaries occur during these hours. This indicates that vehicles and homes are most at risk when the village is quietest, highlighting the need for robust overnight security measures.

Herstmonceux is located in a cluster of exceptionally safe East Sussex settlements. When compared to the larger town of Hailsham, which has a crime rate of 74.3 per 1,000, Herstmonceux is notably safer at 53.6. Several immediate hamlets, including Windmill Hill, Cowbeech Hill, Magham Down, and Boreham Street, all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small populations. For residents, Herstmonceux offers a secure residential environment that is more active than the tiniest hamlets but significantly quieter than the busier regional hubs like Hailsham. The recent increase in reported incidents suggests a shift from an almost crime-free status to a more typical village profile.

With a property crime rate of just 8.7 per 1,000, Herstmonceux is statistically very safe, but the presence of occasional vehicle crime and burglary means security should not be ignored. Traditional security systems, like Ring or Nest, are often reactive; they only provide footage after a crime has occurred. For a quiet area like Herstmonceux, proactive protection is a better investment. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to identify and stop threats at the property line. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your home's exterior in real-time, recognizing residents and regular visitors while flagging suspicious behaviour. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights or audio alerts, deterring a potential intruder before they even approach your door. This proactive approach is particularly effective against the night-time vehicle crime risk.