Lower Willingdon Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2026, Lower Willingdon’s crime rate stood at 2.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 59.4% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This marked a significant shift in the local crime profile, with violent crimes dominating for the first time this year. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 55% of all crimes, a stark contrast to property crime trends, which totaled 4 incidents (20% of all crimes). This shift in the balance between violent and property crimes may reflect seasonal factors, as winter months typically see reduced outdoor activity and social interactions. However, the dominance of violent crimes in Lower Willingdon deviates from the UK average, where violent crimes make up 35% of the total. The area’s built-up nature, combined with its location within Wealden, may contribute to this dynamic. Violence and sexual offences were 35% below the UK average, indicating potential local successes in crime prevention. However, the sudden emergence of three previously unreported crimes—burglary, possession of weapons, and shoplifting—raises questions about evolving risks in the area. These categories each saw a 100% increase from zero to one incident, suggesting either a genuine rise in these types of crime or a statistical anomaly. Anti-social behaviour, by contrast, fell by 75% from 8 to 2 incidents, due to the impact of winter weather on public gatherings or the effectiveness of targeted interventions. This combination of factors underscores the need for continued analysis of crime trends in Lower Willingdon. The population-scaled perspective further highlights the relatively low risk of encountering crime compared to the national average, though the distribution of crime types remains distinct. The monthly exposure of one crime per 381 residents reinforces the area’s overall safety, but the emergence of new crime categories warrants attention. The seasonal context of February—marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to the overall decline in crime rates, though the shift in the balance between violent and property crimes suggests that other factors are at play. As the year progresses, it will be important to monitor these trends and assess their implications for local policing and community engagement strategies.

February 2026 marked a notable shift in crime dynamics, with violent crimes accounting for 55% of all incidents—surpassing property crimes for the first time this year. While property crimes totaled 4 incidents (20% of all crimes), violent crimes accounted for 11 (55% of all crimes), a trend that contrasts sharply with the UK average, where violent crimes make up 35% of the total. This imbalance may be influenced by local factors, such as the area’s built-up nature and seasonal patterns. Violence and sexual offences were 35% below the UK average, a figure that suggests effective local policing or community engagement strategies. However, three specific crimes—burglary, possession of weapons, and shoplifting—each saw a 100% increase from zero to one incident, raising questions about emerging risks. Anti-social behaviour, by contrast, fell by 75% from 8 to 2 incidents, a drop that could reflect the impact of winter weather on public gatherings or the success of targeted interventions in the area. These changes highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of crime trends, particularly in categories that have seen sudden spikes.

Lower Willingdon’s crime rate in February 2026 fell by 25.9% compared to January 2026, declining from 3.6 to 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with typical seasonal patterns observed in built-up areas during winter, when reduced outdoor activity and social interactions may contribute to lower crime rates. Over the 28-day period, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this locality. When scaled to the population of 7,611, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 381 residents—a ratio that places the area significantly below the UK average in terms of frequency. This suggests that residents of Lower Willingdon experience a markedly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national average. However, the distribution of crime types remains distinct, with specific categories showing notable fluctuations. For instance, while anti-social behaviour fell sharply, other categories such as burglary and shoplifting saw increases, indicating potential shifts in local dynamics. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the importance of context: while absolute numbers are small, the relative rarity of crime may reflect a combination of geographic factors, such as its location within Wealden, and local initiatives that have likely contributed to sustained low rates. The interplay between seasonal trends and localised factors remains an area for further analysis.