Wealden Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

April 2024 saw Wealden’s crime rate remain significantly lower than the UK average, with 4.1 crimes per 1,000 residents—46.8% below the national figure of 7.7. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 34.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.6%). This pattern aligns with the area’s character as a largely rural district with a mix of suburban and low-density residential areas, where property crimes often occur in isolated settings. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—likely contributed to fluctuations in crime types. For instance, the higher proportion of violent crimes may reflect greater foot traffic in public spaces during the Easter holiday period. Anti-social behaviour, often linked to alcohol consumption in local pubs and social hubs, remained low compared to the UK average, suggesting effective community management of such issues. Meanwhile, property crimes like shoplifting and burglary, though still below national levels, showed variations in their distribution. The presence of small retail centres and rural estates may explain the persistence of property-related offences, even as rates remain relatively low. This data illustrates a crime picture shaped by both geographic and seasonal factors, with Wealden maintaining a safer profile than many similar-sized areas.

April 2024 brought stark contrasts in crime trends, with burglary rates surging by 127.8% compared to March, rising from 18 to 41 incidents. This sharp increase defies typical seasonal patterns, as spring months usually see declines in property crime due to warmer weather reducing indoor confinement. The jump in burglaries may indicate a shift in criminal activity, possibly linked to Easter holidays disrupting usual security routines or targeted efforts in specific neighbourhoods. Concurrently, theft from the person rose by 66.7% (3 to 5 incidents), a figure that, while small in absolute terms, highlights vulnerabilities in public spaces. Conversely, possession of weapons dropped by 88.9% (from 9 to 1), a reduction consistent with broader national trends in firearm control. Vehicle crime also fell by 60%, reflecting fewer vehicles on the road during Easter travel restrictions or improved parking security in rural areas. Wealden’s violent crime rate (1.4 per 1,000) was 45% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) was 43% below national levels. These figures suggest that local policing strategies, community engagement, or the area’s demographic profile—with fewer young people in high-risk age groups—may be contributing to sustained low rates of violent and disorderly crime. Residents might find the 100% deficit in theft from the person and robbery compared to the UK average particularly reassuring.

Wealden’s crime rate in April 2024 (4.1 per 1,000) marked a 5.6% increase from March’s 3.9, though it remains well below the UK average. This translates to roughly 23 crimes per day across the district’s population of 166,908—a figure that, while seemingly high, reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile when scaled to its size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 242 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this area. When compared to the UK’s broader context, Wealden’s performance is striking: violent crimes are 45% below the national average, and vehicle crime is 57% lower. This suggests that factors such as rural isolation, lower population density, or effective local policing may be creating an environment less conducive to certain types of crime. The daily crime count (23) is also a local metric that does not directly compare to UK-wide figures, which are not provided. However, the 4.1 rate places Wealden in the lower quartile of UK local authority districts, indicating that its residents face a significantly reduced risk of experiencing crime compared to the national average. This comparative safety, despite the burglary spike, reinforces the area’s overall crime resilience.