Wealden Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden’s crime profile in October 2023 continues to reflect a striking equilibrium between property and violent crime, with 245 property crimes and 243 violent crimes reported. This balance, while unusual, may be influenced by the area’s character as a commuter-oriented district with a mix of residential and retail spaces. The overall crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents—47.5% below the UK average—underscores the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement efforts. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, accounted for 34.7% of all crimes, slightly above the UK average for this category but still significantly lower in absolute terms. Anti-social behaviour (17.3%) and criminal damage (12.3%) followed, consistent with patterns seen in areas with moderate urban density. Seasonal factors likely played a role: the return to darker evenings in October may have contributed to the 63% increase in shoplifting, as Halloween shopping and trick-or-treating could have created opportunities for theft. Conversely, the sharp decline in theft from the person (62.5%) may reflect increased vigilance during the holiday period. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000) suggest that Wealden’s infrastructure, including secure parking and residential design, may mitigate certain types of crime. However, the rise in 'other crime' by 90% raises questions about unclassified or emerging threats, which local authorities may need to address. Overall, Wealden’s crime profile remains a testament to its ability to maintain safety despite the challenges posed by seasonal transitions and localized vulnerabilities.

October 2023 saw a 63% increase in shoplifting, rising from 27 to 44 incidents, the largest single-category jump. This surge, combined with a 90% rise in 'other crime' (from 10 to 19), suggests shifting patterns in criminal activity. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 62.5% (from 8 to 3), a decline that may reflect heightened awareness during Halloween or seasonal precautions. The balance between property and violent crime remains strikingly close, with 245 property crimes and 243 violent crimes reported. Violence and sexual offences, though slightly above the UK average for this category (2.7 per 1,000), still represent a 44% deficit nationally. The sharp drop in public order offences (down 18.5%) contrasts with the rise in shoplifting, illustrating how specific seasonal factors—such as Halloween—can affect certain crime types. Residents may find the 62% reduction in vehicle crime (from 0.5 to 0.2 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, though the increase in 'other crime' warrants further attention.

Wealden’s crime rate in October 2023 rose slightly to 4.2 per 1,000 residents from 4.1 per 1,000 in September, a 3.2% increase. This places the area firmly below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, with the gap remaining significant. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 23 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 238 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate highlights the relatively low frequency of crime in Wealden compared to the national average, though the slight month-on-month increase suggests ongoing vigilance is needed. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Wealden remains a safer area than the UK overall, with crime rates that are consistently below average across multiple categories, including violence, anti-social behaviour, and vehicle crime. However, the small upward trend in October may reflect seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween-related activity, which could temporarily influence crime patterns.