Wealden Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden’s December 2023 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents marked a sustained period of low criminal activity, placing the area 51.4% below the UK average of 7.2. This performance contrasts sharply with national trends, particularly in categories such as violence and sexual offences, which stood at 1.4 per 1,000 — 47% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also remained well below national benchmarks, suggesting a combination of community resilience and effective local policing. The seasonal context of December, with its long evenings and holiday-related activity, typically raises concerns about increased crime, yet Wealden’s figures indicate a pattern of stability. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 40% of all reported crimes, reflecting the persistent challenge of interpersonal crime in urban centres. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, remains a concern in areas with high foot traffic, such as town centres. The low rate of burglary — 0.1 per 1,000 — aligns with Wealden’s character as a largely residential area with limited commercial density. Seasonal factors such as Christmas shopping and reduced daylight hours may have influenced patterns, but the absence of a significant spike in property crime suggests that measures like community patrols or improved lighting have likely contributed to this outcome. The data also highlights a broader trend: Wealden’s crime profile consistently diverges from national averages, with property-related crimes remaining subdued. This could be attributed to the area’s mix of suburban and semi-rural landscapes, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime. While the overall rate remains low, the persistence of violent crime underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific neighbourhoods.

December 2023 saw notable reductions in several crime categories, with burglary falling by 52.9% compared to November, a decline that may reflect heightened community vigilance or improved security measures. Other theft also decreased by 45%, suggesting a possible impact of local initiatives aimed at deterring shoplifting and other petty crimes. Conversely, bicycle theft surged by 600%, rising from one to seven incidents — a stark anomaly that could indicate a surge in cycling activity during the winter months or gaps in theft prevention strategies. Robbery increased by 133.3%, though the absolute number remains low at seven cases, raising questions about whether this reflects isolated incidents or a shift in criminal tactics. The possession of weapons rose by 66.7%, though the category remains well below the UK average. This increase, however, may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased alcohol consumption during the holiday period. Wealden’s violent crime rate of 1.4 per 1,000 is 47% below the UK average, illustrating the area’s relative safety despite the challenges of maintaining low levels of interpersonal crime. The data also reveals that theft from the person — typically associated with tourist areas — fell by 75%, a drop that could be attributed to increased police presence or improved public awareness. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and broader national trends, with Wealden’s unique demographic and geographic profile shaping its crime picture in distinct ways.

Wealden’s December 2023 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents represented a 6.7% decrease from November’s rate of 3.7, indicating a continued downward trajectory. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 19 crimes per day — a figure that, while significant, remains proportionally low given the population of 166,908. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 286 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Wealden well below the national average. This statistic, when contextualised within the area’s population density, suggests that residents face a markedly lower risk of victimisation compared to the UK as a whole. The previous month’s rate of 3.7 per 1,000 highlights a consistent trend of decline, with the area’s performance improving despite the seasonal challenges of December. Wealden’s population context further underscores the significance of these figures: with over 166,000 residents, the absolute number of crimes — 583 — translates to a relatively low per capita impact. This is particularly evident in categories such as burglary and vehicle crime, which are 71% and 56% below the UK average, respectively. The combination of low crime rates and high population numbers suggests that Wealden’s policing strategies and community initiatives have effectively mitigated risks. However, the increase in bicycle theft and robbery underscores the need for targeted measures to address these specific vulnerabilities. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that Wealden’s success in reducing property-related crimes may be linked to its suburban character, where open spaces and lower population density create fewer opportunities for certain types of crime.