Wealden Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's overall crime rate in December 2023 stood at 3.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 51.4% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This marks a continuation of the area's consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends, likely influenced by its character as a largely rural district with a mix of commuter and residential zones. The most common crimes reported were violence and sexual offences (232 cases, 39.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (83 cases, 14.2%) and criminal damage and arson (80 cases, 13.7%). These figures align with patterns seen in similar areas where seasonal factors—such as darker evenings and holiday-related activity—can amplify certain types of incidents. Despite the winter months typically correlating with higher crime rates, Wealden's data shows a marked resilience, with violent crime rates 47% below the UK average. The presence of robust community policing initiatives and lower population density may contribute to this trend. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, party season, and increased home emptiness—may have influenced patterns, particularly in property crimes, though the overall rate remains significantly lower than the national benchmark. This suggests a combination of geographic and demographic factors, including a lower proportion of high-risk urban areas, that likely underpin the area's crime profile.

December 2023 saw a 52.9% decrease in burglary reports, falling from 51 to 24 cases, marking one of the most significant drops across any category. This decline may reflect seasonal factors, with fewer homes occupied during the holiday period. Conversely, bicycle theft surged by 600%, rising from 1 to 7 cases—a stark anomaly that could be linked to increased Christmas shopping activity or targeted thefts around retail areas. Other notable changes included a 133.3% rise in robbery reports (3 to 7 cases) and a 66.7% increase in possession of weapons (3 to 5 cases), though these remain relatively low in absolute terms. Wealden's violent crime rate (1.4 per 1,000) was 47% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) was 46% below the national figure, highlighting the area's strong performance in these categories. The drop in theft from the person (from 4 to 1 cases, -75%) may indicate improved public safety measures or reduced opportunities for such crimes during the month. These shifts underscore the combination of seasonal activity and local policing strategies.

Wealden's crime rate in December 2023 was 3.5 per 1,000 residents, a 6.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.7 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, reinforces the area's long-term trend of maintaining a crime rate significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the local figure of 19 crimes per day provides context for residents, translating to roughly one reported crime for every 286 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the national average, which is not provided for comparison. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the absolute number of crimes (583), the rate remains proportionally low given Wealden's 166,908 residents. This suggests that the area's infrastructure, including its mix of rural and commuter zones, may naturally limit opportunities for certain types of crime. While some categories saw increases, such as bicycle theft and robbery, these remain outliers against the backdrop of broader declines. The comparison to the previous month and the UK average underscores Wealden's relative safety, though local factors such as community engagement and geographic characteristics likely play a role in sustaining this position.