Polegate Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Polegate's crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents in January 2026 places it 48.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, reinforcing its position as a comparatively safe built-up area within Wealden. This figure reflects a consistent trend of lower-than-average crime rates. month-on-month increase from the previous month's 2.8 per 1,000 suggests minor fluctuations. The crime profile remains dominated by shoplifting (30.8% of total crimes) and violence and sexual offences (another 30.8%), with both categories exhibiting stark divergences from national averages. Shoplifting, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 93% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, likely influenced by seasonal factors such as post-holiday retail activity and reduced footfall in January. In contrast, violence and sexual offences are 56% below the UK average, a pattern consistent with smaller communities where community cohesion and policing presence may mitigate such crimes. The area's crime mix shows a slight skew towards property-related offences (47% of total crimes), differing from the UK's broader distribution, which includes a higher proportion of violent crime. Seasonal context suggests that January's shorter days and reduced retail activity may have dampened some crime types while amplifying others, such as shoplifting, which often sees spikes during post-holiday periods. These patterns align with the characteristics of a small built-up area where local factors, such as the presence of high-street retail, may drive specific crime types.

Shoplifting saw the most dramatic increase in January, surging 140% from five incidents in December to twelve in January. This spike aligns with seasonal factors, as post-holiday periods often see shifts in retail activity and footfall patterns. Robbery and other crime categories also doubled from zero to one incident each, though these remain minor contributors to the overall crime picture. Violence and sexual offences—comprising 30.8% of total crimes—remained 56% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the 93% above UK average for shoplifting. The crime mix in Polegate continues to skew towards property-related offences (47% of total crimes) compared to the UK's broader distribution. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting underscores the need for local retailers to remain vigilant during post-holiday periods.

Polegate's crime rate in January 2026 rose 21.8% from the previous month's 2.8 per 1,000 to 3.5 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend. While this increase is notable, the area remains 48.5% below the UK average, highlighting its consistently lower crime profile compared to national standards. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that aligns with the seasonally adjusted patterns typical of small built-up areas. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 289 residents over the course of January. This statistic provides context for local residents, illustrating that the likelihood of experiencing a crime remains relatively low compared to both the UK average and historical trends for similar-sized communities. The population-scaled perspective reinforces Polegate's position as a safer area within the broader UK crime profile, even as minor fluctuations occur.