Lower Willingdon Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

September 2025 marked a continuation of Lower Willingdon's historically low crime profile, with a recorded rate of 3.7 crimes per 1,000 residents — exactly 50% below the UK average of 7.4. This built-up area within Wealden has consistently maintained crime rates well below national benchmarks, a pattern likely influenced by its compact urban layout and community-focused policing strategies. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences (35.7% of total crimes), followed by criminal damage and arson (25.0%) and other theft (17.9%). These figures contrast with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.6 per 1,000), where Lower Willingdon's rate is 50% below. Seasonal context suggests a potential link between the transition to autumn and the 16.7% decrease in violent crimes month-on-month, possibly reflecting shorter evenings and reduced social activity. However, the 70% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average raises questions about local factors, such as the area's older housing stock or specific enforcement challenges. The low rate of anti-social behaviour (66% below UK average) and public order offences (81% below) further underscores the area's generally orderly environment, though the 150% spike in other theft cases requires closer examination.

September saw a notable 12.4% decrease in the overall crime rate compared to August, driven by a 16.7% drop in violence and sexual offences — the most common crime category — from 12 to 10 incidents. This decline aligns with the seasonal shift as nights draw in, reducing opportunities for alcohol-fueled conflicts in public spaces. Conversely, other theft cases surged by 150% (2 to 5), a jump that may reflect increased unsecured valuables during back-to-school preparations or targeted retail theft. Public order and other crime categories both doubled month-on-month (0 to 1), suggesting isolated incidents that could be attributed to specific events or individual factors. While the area's rate of criminal damage and arson (0.9 per 1,000) is 70% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), this remains a relatively small proportion of total crimes (25.0%). Residents may find the 81% reduction in public order offences (from 0.5 to 0.1 per 1,000 UK average) particularly reassuring, though the 100% increase in shoplifting cases (0 to 1) highlights the need for continued vigilance in retail areas during the autumn shopping season.

The September 2025 crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 12.4% decrease from August's 4.2, reflecting a sustained downward trend in the area's crime profile. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately one reported crime every 30 days, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in Lower Willingdon. Over the course of the month, this translates to one crime occurring for every 272 residents, a ratio that is exceptionally low compared to the UK average and suggests a strong sense of community safety. When scaled to the area's population of 7,611, the monthly exposure figure highlights that the vast majority of residents are unaffected by crime, with only a small minority encountering incidents. This contrast is particularly stark when considering the UK's average monthly exposure, which would likely be significantly higher given the national rate of 7.4 per 1,000. The combination of these statistics illustrates a neighbourhood where crime is not only infrequent but also rare compared to national trends, though the 70% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average indicates that certain challenges remain. These figures, when viewed alongside the area's demographic and geographic characteristics, suggest that Lower Willingdon's low crime rates are maintained through a combination of local policing efforts, community engagement, and the physical layout of the built-up area.