Lower Willingdon Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

September 2024 marked a continuation of Lower Willingdon’s consistently low crime profile, with a recorded rate of 2.6 crimes per 1,000 residents — a figure 66.2% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This built-up area within Wealden, likely characterised by a mix of residential and small-scale commercial activity, has maintained a crime rate significantly lower than national trends. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20%) and criminal damage and arson (10%). These figures align with the seasonal context of September, a time when back-to-school and university freshers events may influence local dynamics, potentially increasing interpersonal tensions or alcohol-related incidents in social spaces. The relatively low property crime rate (18% of total crimes) suggests that the area’s compact, low-density layout may limit opportunities for burglary or vehicle-related theft. However, the presence of anti-social behaviour and violence highlights the need for ongoing community engagement strategies to address local conflicts. This month’s data, while showing no dramatic shifts, reinforces the area’s position as a safer-than-average location within the UK, though targeted interventions remain necessary to address persistent issues like violence and anti-social conduct.

September 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with a 36.4% month-on-month decline in violence and sexual offences — from 11 to 7 reported incidents — potentially reflecting the calming effect of school term resumption or increased community policing efforts. Conversely, three categories saw 100% increases from zero to one incident: theft from the person, drugs, and shoplifting. These spikes, though small in absolute terms, may indicate emerging risks, such as opportunistic thefts during the busy start of the academic year or the introduction of new illicit activities in the area. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly below the UK average (66% below), as did anti-social behaviour (57% below) and public order offences (82% below). The low rate of shoplifting (85% below the UK average) contrasts with the rise in reported cases, suggesting that while overall theft from retail is rare, isolated incidents may require targeted retailer awareness campaigns. The data underscores a mixed picture: a general decline in serious crime, but emerging pockets of concern that warrant closer monitoring, particularly as seasonal factors like autumnal weather and reduced daylight hours could influence future trends.

The crime rate in Lower Willingdon fell by 4.7% from 2.8 per 1,000 in August to 2.6 per 1,000 in September 2024, reflecting a small but measurable trend toward safer conditions. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 381 residents, translating to a monthly exposure rate of approximately 1-in-381. This figure, while low, illustrates the relative rarity of crime in this built-up area compared to the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day, a pace that is slower than the average for similar-sized communities. The population context further highlights the significance of these numbers: with 7,611 residents, even minor fluctuations in crime rates can have visible impacts on community perception. For instance, the 100% increase in shoplifting — though only one incident — may be more noticeable to local retailers than the broader statistical trend. This month’s data suggests that Lower Willingdon’s crime profile remains stable, with no sudden spikes or declines that would disrupt the established pattern of low overall crime. The comparison to the UK average reinforces the area’s status as a safer-than-average location, though the relatively small population size means that even minor changes can be more pronounced in local statistics.