Wealden Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's August 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents places it 43.2% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marks one of the lowest monthly rates in recent records for the area, reflecting a consistent trend of lower-than-average crime levels. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (34.2% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (19.4%) and criminal damage and arson (11.1%). These figures align with Wealden's character as a mixed rural-urban district with a strong community presence and limited nightlife infrastructure, which may partly explain the lower rates of public order offences compared to larger cities. Seasonal patterns in August—peak holiday activity and increased tourism—typically correlate with higher burglary risks due to empty homes, yet burglary rates fell by 36.6% compared to July, suggesting effective local deterrents or seasonal shifts in criminal opportunity. The overall crime mix remains skewed towards property crimes (33.7% of total) and violent incidents, with property crimes showing a slight decline compared to previous months. This balance contrasts with UK averages, where property crimes historically dominate, but Wealden's data indicates a more evenly distributed profile between violent and property offences. The low rate of shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) further highlights the area's unique dynamics, possibly influenced by local retail strategies or community policing efforts.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 150% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 2 to 5 cases—a stark contrast to the 66.7% drop in bicycle theft (from 6 to 2). This swing underscores shifting criminal priorities, with violent crimes gaining prominence over property theft. The 36.6% decrease in burglary (41 to 26 cases) defies typical August trends, where seasonal holidays often correlate with higher burglary rates due to empty homes. This reduction may reflect heightened community vigilance or effective police deployment during peak tourist periods. Violent crime rates remained low, with violence and sexual offences at 1.6 per 1,000—39% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also fell significantly, with 0.9 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 1.4 per 1,000. These figures suggest that Wealden's community-based policing strategies or local infrastructure (such as well-lit public spaces) may be contributing to sustained reductions in low-level crime. Residents may find the 67% UK-wide deficit in shoplifting rates particularly relevant, as it indicates local retailers may benefit from lower theft risks compared to national benchmarks.

Wealden's August 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 represents a 10.1% decrease from July's 5.2 per 1,000, marking a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, 25 crimes were reported each day in August—a figure that, while seemingly high, translates to one crime occurring for every 216 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, where similar figures often exceed one crime per 100 residents. The population context further highlights Wealden's relative safety: with 166,908 residents, the area's crime density remains well below national levels. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000), both of which are below UK averages by over 35%. The 10.1% month-on-month reduction aligns with broader patterns observed in Wealden's crime data, suggesting sustained efforts in crime prevention or environmental factors that deter criminal activity. For residents, the combination of low crime rates and a manageable daily crime count reinforces the area's reputation as a relatively secure place to live, even during peak holiday months.