Wealden Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's October 2024 crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents marks a stark contrast to the UK average of 8.1, reflecting a 50.6% deficit. This lower rate, though influenced by seasonal factors, suggests a community with a relatively safe environment. The crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.8%) and shoplifting (11.4%). These figures align with the area's character as a largely suburban and rural district, where community policing and low population density may contribute to reduced violent crime rates. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the clocks going back, and Halloween—could influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Wealden's violent crime rate is 48% below the UK average, a statistic that may reflect the area's demographic composition, including a significant proportion of older residents and families. The lower rates of theft from the person and drugs-related crimes further support the notion of a community with fewer high-risk environments compared to urban centres. However, the rise in vehicle crime and possession of weapons highlights the need for vigilance in addressing emerging trends. These patterns, while distinct from the UK average, underscore the importance of contextual factors in shaping local crime dynamics. The balance between property and violent crime, with property crimes slightly edging out at 33.2%, may indicate a focus on economic factors or the influence of retail spaces. Overall, Wealden's crime profile illustrates a combination of local conditions and national trends, with its lower rates offering a glimpse into the effectiveness of community-based crime prevention strategies.

October saw a sharp 168.2% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 22 to 59 incidents. This surge, though unexplained by the data, may partly reflect seasonal shifts such as increased car usage during the autumn period or changes in parking patterns. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose by 51.0%, potentially linked to Halloween-related retail activity. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 80.0%, likely due to the end of the university term or reduced outdoor activity during colder weather. The balance of crime types reveals a 34.1% share of violent crimes, slightly outweighing property crimes at 34.1% (violence) versus 33.2% (property). This mix is 48% below the UK average for violent crimes, highlighting Wealden's relative safety in this category. The possession of weapons category, however, saw a 266.7% increase, moving from 3 to 11 incidents—though still below the UK average. These shifts offer insight into the evolving nature of crime in Wealden, with vehicle crime emerging as a particular concern.

Wealden's crime rate in October 2024 rose by 17.1% compared to the previous month, moving from 3.5 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though still well below the UK average, raises questions about seasonal influences. Daily crime activity averaged 22 incidents per day, a figure that underscores the ongoing presence of crime in the area despite its relatively low rate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 247 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a manageable level of risk for the local population. When viewed through the lens of Wealden's population of 166,908, this translates to a distribution of crime that, while not negligible, remains significantly less frequent than the UK average. The increase from September to October may reflect the impact of darker evenings and seasonal events like Halloween, which can influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order offences.