Wealden Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden’s crime profile in July 2024 reveals a distinct balance of offence types that reflects both local patterns and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 211 incidents (32.6% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (19.4%) and criminal damage (10.5%). This mix suggests a focus on interpersonal conflicts and property-related disputes, which aligns with the area’s character as a mixed-use district with a blend of residential, retail, and rural zones. The sharp contrast to the UK average—where violence and sexual offences typically account for 2.9 per 1,000 residents—highlights Wealden’s relative safety in this category, with rates 54% below national levels. Anti-social behaviour, also below UK averages, may be influenced by the area’s community policing efforts and the timing of summer festivals, which can draw crowds to public spaces. Meanwhile, the low incidence of vehicle crime (5.4% of total) and burglary (3.7%) suggests a lower density of high-risk environments like car parks or commercial zones. July’s peak tourism season likely contributed to increased foot traffic in town centres, which could explain the relatively higher share of public order offences (8.2%) compared to the UK average. However, the overall crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 remains lower than the national figure, pointing to a community with strong social cohesion and effective local crime prevention strategies. This pattern is consistent with Wealden’s historical data, which has shown sustained below-average rates across multiple categories, particularly in property crimes and violent offences.

July 2024 saw notable shifts in Wealden’s crime mix, with shoplifting rising sharply by 55.6% (from 27 to 42 incidents) and possession of weapons increasing by 100% (from 4 to 8). These changes may reflect the seasonal impact of summer festivals, which could have drawn more visitors to retail areas, increasing opportunities for theft. Conversely, robbery rates dropped by 75% (from 4 to 1), due to heightened security measures during high-traffic periods. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 23.6% (from 165 to 126), linked to the area’s community engagement initiatives during the summer. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remained significantly below the UK average (1.3 per 1,000 vs the national 2.9 per 1,000), a trend that has persisted across recent months. The sharp decline in bicycle theft (from 7 to 2) may indicate the effectiveness of local anti-theft campaigns or the reduced use of bicycles during warmer weather. Residents might find the 54% below-average rate for violence and sexual offences particularly reassuring, as this category often drives public concern. The increase in shoplifting, however, underscores the need for continued vigilance in retail areas during peak tourist months.

Wealden’s July 2024 crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents marked an 11.0% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.4, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 21 crimes per day, a figure that, while specific to Wealden, offers a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 258 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime per 120 residents. This disparity is amplified when considering the population context: Wealden’s 166,908 residents mean that even a small absolute number of crimes can translate into significant differences in per capita rates. The area’s crime rate remains well below the UK average, with the most recent data showing a consistent gap across multiple categories. For example, violent crimes in Wealden are 54% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour is 45% below. This suggests that Wealden’s demographic and geographic characteristics—likely including a mix of suburban and rural areas with lower population density—contribute to its lower crime rates compared to more densely populated urban centres. The monthly exposure figure of 1 in 258 residents also implies that the majority of Wealden’s population is unlikely to experience a crime directly, a statistic that may be particularly comforting for local residents and visitors alike.