Lower Willingdon Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

September 2023 continued to reflect Lower Willingdon’s position as a relatively low-crime area, with a total crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents—63.7% below the UK average. This figure, which includes 22 reported crimes across a population of 7,611, underscores the area’s distinct profile compared to national trends. The breakdown of offences highlights a strong emphasis on violent and sexual crimes, which accounted for 50% of all incidents. This proportion is notable given that such crimes make up 45% of the UK average, suggesting a potential imbalance in the types of offences recorded or reported. Anti-social behaviour, contributing 22.7% of total crimes, also fell significantly below the UK average, where it accounts for 1.3 per 1,000. The seasonal context of September—marking the return to academic routines—may have influenced these patterns, as increased foot traffic and community activity could deter certain types of crime while creating opportunities for others. The low levels of property-related offences, such as burglary (4.6% of total crimes) and vehicle crime (4.6%), further differentiate Lower Willingdon from the UK average, where these categories are more prevalent. This contrast may be attributable to the area’s built-up nature within Wealden, which likely limits opportunities for vehicle-related crimes and burglary. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and public order offences suggests that localised factors, such as the presence of younger populations or increased social gatherings, may be contributing to these trends. The data also reveals a shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes maintaining a higher proportion than property crimes, a pattern that could be linked to the area’s demographic composition or the impact of seasonal transitions on community dynamics. These findings, while illustrative of the area’s unique context, must be interpreted cautiously, as they may not fully capture the complexities of local policing or reporting practices.

September 2023 marked a mix of rising and falling crime trends in Lower Willingdon. Burglary and public order offences both saw 100% increases from August, while anti-social behaviour rose by 66.7%. These spikes may reflect seasonal transitions, as the month overlaps with the return of students and the start of term-time activities. Conversely, other theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting all fell, with the latter two dropping by 50%. The proportion of violent crimes—accounting for 50% of all reported incidents—remained lower than the UK average, where such offences contribute 45% of the national total. Anti-social behaviour, at 22.7% of total crimes, was 48% below the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the area’s smaller population and community-focused policing. These shifts underscore the need for targeted interventions during periods of social transition, though the overall trend of declining crime suggests sustained efforts are bearing fruit.

In September 2023, Lower Willingdon’s crime rate fell to 2.9 per 1,000 residents, a 4.3% decrease from the previous month’s 3.0 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends, as the month marks the end of summer holidays and the start of term-time routines. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 346 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in terms of population density. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which sits at 8.0 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective highlights the area’s relative safety compared to national standards, though local factors such as the built-up nature of the area and its integration with Wealden may contribute to this disparity. The reduction in crime may also be influenced by increased community engagement during the academic term, though this remains speculative without further data.