Wealden Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's crime profile in January 2025 reveals a mixed picture of stability and emerging concerns. The overall crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents — 49.3% below the UK average — positions the area as significantly safer than the national benchmark. However, the data highlights specific increases that residents should monitor closely. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 36.8% of all crimes.3 per 1,000 is 48% below the UK average. This suggests that while violent crime is relatively low, it remains a focal point for local enforcement efforts. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed as the next most frequent categories, with both showing rates well below the UK average. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall — may explain the lower rates of outdoor crimes typically associated with higher foot traffic. Yet, the doubling of theft from the person incidents raises questions about targeted vulnerabilities in public spaces. This could be attributed to fewer people in the area during the post-holiday lull, creating opportunities for opportunistic theft. The relatively high rate of possession of weapons — 67% above the UK average — presents an unexpected contrast, though its low absolute numbers (0.1 per 1,000) suggest it may not pose an immediate threat. The overall picture is one of a largely rural area with pockets of urban activity, where crime patterns are shaped by both geographic isolation and the presence of local amenities. These factors may contribute to the observed rates, though the exact relationship between landscape and crime remains a subject for further analysis.

The most notable rise in January 2025 was a 100% increase in theft from the person, with incidents doubling from one to two. This sharp uptick, though still low in absolute terms, may signal heightened vulnerability in public spaces during the post-holiday period. Bicycle theft also saw a 100% increase, moving from zero to two incidents — a concerning trend for residents who rely on cycling. Vehicle crime rose by 47.8%, jumping from 23 to 34 cases, which could be linked to colder weather affecting vehicle security practices. Wealden's violent crime rate of 1.3 per 1,000 is 48% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 2.5 per 1,000 national figure. However, the area's possession of weapons rate is 67% above the UK average, a unique anomaly that may warrant further local analysis. These shifts in crime mix — with violent offences remaining low compared to the UK — suggest a combination of local demographics and seasonal factors.

Wealden's crime rate in January 2025 rose by 8.3% compared to December 2024, moving from 3.4 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, suggests a shift in local patterns that warrant attention. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 20 crimes per day — a figure that, while low compared to national averages, highlights the need for continued vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 275 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relative safety of Wealden compared to other areas. When scaled to the population of 166,908, this equates to a manageable level of risk for most residents, though the specific increases in certain categories may signal emerging trends. The rise in vehicle crime, for instance, could reflect colder weather conditions affecting car-related incidents, or shifts in how residents store vehicles during the post-holiday period. These factors, while not definitively proven, are consistent with seasonal patterns observed in similar rural-urban mixed areas.