Uckfield Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Uckfield recorded 83 crimes across its built-up area, translating to a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 32.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a gap that reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 47 incidents (56.6% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (8.4%) and other theft (8.4%). This concentration of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences are 17% lower at 2.6 per 1,000. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month and increased tourism—may have contributed to the surge in violent incidents. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which often correlate with nightlife activity, saw significant declines, possibly due to fewer late-night events or heightened policing during the summer. Meanwhile, property-related crimes such as burglary and shoplifting remained low, with shoplifting incidents falling by 71.4% compared to the previous month. This suggests that local factors, such as community engagement or effective retail security, may be mitigating certain risks. The overall crime rate, however, highlights the need to address the sharp increase in violence, which could be linked to transient populations or other socio-economic dynamics. As a semi-rural area with a population of 15,000, Uckfield’s crime profile appears shaped by a combination of seasonal tourism, local demographics, and community-focused initiatives that may be reducing non-violent crime while leaving gaps in addressing more serious offences.

August 2023 marked a sharp rise in violence and sexual offences, which surged by 80.8% to 47 incidents, the highest category by far. This increase, despite the overall rate being below the UK average, suggests localized pressures such as heightened social activity during the summer holidays. Other crime also saw a dramatic 100% increase, moving from zero to three reported incidents—a change that could reflect underreporting in previous months or new criminal activity emerging in the area. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 71.4%, from seven to two incidents, possibly due to increased retail security measures or reduced foot traffic in non-tourist areas. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences both dropped by 50%, which may be linked to seasonal changes, such as fewer evenings spent in public spaces during August. These fluctuations illustrate how crime patterns can shift rapidly, influenced by factors like tourism, weather, and local events, even within a single month.

In August 2023, Uckfield’s crime rate fell to 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 7.8% decrease from July’s 6.0 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as August typically sees reduced foot traffic in non-tourist areas and fewer late-night gatherings. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported across the built-up area, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area’s small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 180 residents—a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a community of 15,000 people. When compared to the UK average, Uckfield’s overall rate remains 32.1% below, a gap that suggests local factors such as strong community policing or lower population density may contribute to this trend. However, the rise in violence and sexual offences (+80.8%) indicates a shift in crime patterns that requires closer attention, even as other categories like shoplifting and public order offences declined sharply. The interplay between seasonal tourism and local demographics likely shapes these variations, though further data would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.