Wealden Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's overall crime rate in May 2025 stood at 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 40.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This position as one of the safer areas in the UK is reinforced by the dominance of violent crimes (36.6% of total) and anti-social behaviour (19.1%), both of which are significantly lower than national averages. The area's crime profile aligns with its character as a largely rural district with urban pockets, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced crime levels. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and bank holidays, likely influenced patterns of outdoor drinking and socialising, which could explain the prominence of anti-social behaviour and violence. However, the lower rate of property crimes compared to the UK average (253 vs 300 typical for a similar-sized area) suggests effective local policing or community initiatives. The data also shows that shoplifting and public order offences remain below national averages, consistent with the area's retail and leisure landscape. These findings illustrate a crime picture shaped by both geographic context and seasonal rhythms, with Wealden maintaining a safer profile than the UK as a whole.

May 2025 saw a sharp 100% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 7 to 14 incidents. This surge, combined with a 100% rise in 'other crime' (from 11 to 22), indicates a shift in criminal activity that may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased socialising during May's extended evenings. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 10%, a decrease that could reflect targeted policing efforts or reduced opportunities for such offences. The breakdown of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences (36.6% of total) and anti-social behaviour (19.1%) remain the most prevalent, both significantly below the UK average. Vehicle crime rose by 53.8% (from 13 to 20), a jump that may be tied to increased foot traffic during bank holidays and the start of the summer season.

Wealden's crime rate in May 2025 rose by 11.7% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.3 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in local crime dynamics. Daily crime activity averaged 26 incidents per day across 31 days, a figure that highlights the persistent presence of crime in the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 209 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 166,908, the monthly exposure figure underscores that while crime is present, it remains significantly lower than the UK average. The rise in drug-related crimes (+100%) and other crimes (+100%) contrasts with the 10% decline in weapon possession, suggesting evolving patterns that warrant closer attention to local policing strategies.