Lower Willingdon Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Lower Willingdon's crime profile in February 2024 reveals a striking imbalance between property and violent crime. With 11 violent offences reported—compared to just seven property crimes—the area's violent crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents stands at 40% below the UK average for this category. This divergence from the national trend suggests a combination of local factors. The overall crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents—54.9% below the UK average—reflects the area's generally low criminal activity, a pattern consistent with its status as a built-up area within Wealden. Seasonal context plays a role, as February's typically low outdoor activity may limit opportunities for property crime while concentrating incidents in other categories. Criminal damage and arson rose sharply to five incidents, a 100% increase from January, though this remains 30% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences both declined, with the former falling 33.3% and the latter 33.3%, suggesting some localised efforts may be yielding results. The dominance of violent crime over property crime in this month's data could indicate shifts in community dynamics, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this hypothesis. The low overall rate, combined with the seasonal lull, positions February as a period of relative stability, albeit with notable fluctuations in specific categories.

February 2024 saw a dramatic increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from five to 11 incidents—a 120% month-on-month jump. This surge contrasts with a 50% decline in other thefts and a 33.3% reduction in anti-social behaviour. The violent crime category, now accounting for 45.8% of all reported crimes, remains 40% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, suggesting local factors may be tempering national trends. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose sharply from zero to five incidents, marking a 100% increase. This category is now 30% above the UK average, indicating a potential localised issue that deserves closer attention. Residents may find the stability in the overall crime rate (unchanged from January) reassuring, despite the volatility in specific categories. The shift in crime mix—violent crime now outpacing property crime—raises questions about underlying social dynamics or seasonal influences that could shape future trends.

Lower Willingdon's crime rate in February 2024 remained stable at 3.2 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no immediate spikes or dips in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime every 29 days, translating to a local daily crime rate of roughly 0.034 per 1,000 residents. While this figure is low, it is important to contextualise it within the area's population of 7,611. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 317 residents, a monthly exposure rate that aligns with the area's generally low crime profile. This level of activity is lower than the UK average, which stands at 7.1 per 1,000, but the comparison highlights the importance of maintaining local policing efforts to sustain this trend. The stability in crime rates may also reflect the seasonal context of February, a winter month with typically lower outdoor activity, which could limit opportunities for certain types of crime.