Wealden Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Wealden's crime rate in January 2026 remained 41.2% below the UK average, recording 4.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figure, though modest, reflects a continuation of the area's long-term trend of lower-than-average crime levels. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.9% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 21.4%. These figures highlight the persistent challenges faced by local authorities in addressing non-violent but disruptive crime. Seasonal factors appear to play a role in shaping the crime profile: January's post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail activity likely contribute to the lower-than-average rates for property crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime. However, the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.5 per 1,000) remains higher than Wealden's rate, suggesting the area's broader social and community dynamics may be more conducive to preventing such crimes. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, continues to dominate the crime profile, indicating a need for targeted interventions in public spaces. The data also shows that Wealden's crime mix remains skewed towards violent offences compared to the UK, where property crimes typically dominate. This imbalance could be attributed to the area's character as a commuter-focused district with a mix of urban and semi-rural environments, where interpersonal conflicts and alcohol-related incidents are more common. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday lulls and reduced outdoor activity—may further explain the subdued levels of property crime, though the sharp rise in vehicle crime remains an outlier that requires further analysis.

Vehicle crime in Wealden saw a staggering 200% increase in January 2026, rising from 10 to 30 incidents. This sharp jump, though unexplained by the data, could potentially reflect shifts in parking patterns or increased vehicle movement during the post-holiday period. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 77.8%, climbing from 9 to 16 cases. This increase may align with seasonal factors, though further data would be needed to confirm. Shoplifting also rose by 31.1%, with 59 incidents reported—higher than the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Violent crimes remained 40% below the UK average at 1.5 per 1,000, despite accounting for 35.9% of all reported crimes in Wealden. Residents should be particularly vigilant around areas with high retail footfall, where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour remain persistent issues.

Wealden's crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly to 4.0 per 1,000 residents, a 3.9% increase from the previous month's 3.9 per 1,000. While this marks the first upward movement in the annual series, the rate remains 41.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 22 crimes were reported across the 31-day period, translating to roughly one crime for every 248 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure contextualises the rate within the local population, showing that while crime remains relatively low, the slight increase warrants attention. The population context further underscores that Wealden's crime profile is significantly more favourable than the national average, though localised trends in specific categories demand closer scrutiny.