Uckfield Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 saw Uckfield's crime rate remain lower than the UK average, with 5.1 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 8.0. This represents a consistent trend for the area, which has maintained a crime rate below the UK average for multiple months. The breakdown of crimes reveals a distinct pattern: violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.5%) and criminal damage and arson (11.7%). These figures align with the characteristics of a largely rural area with a small town centre, where interpersonal disputes and property-related incidents are more prevalent than in densely populated urban centres. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping the crime profile; the return of darker evenings and the approach of Halloween may have influenced patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The relatively low property crime rate—just 18 incidents across the month—suggests effective community policing or limited opportunities for such crimes in this area. Shoplifting remains a persistent issue, though it remains significantly below the UK average. The data underscores the importance of understanding local context when interpreting crime statistics, as Uckfield’s geographic and demographic profile shapes its unique crime picture.

Month-on-month analysis reveals a mixed picture of change in October 2023. Violent crime fell by 13.5%, from 37 to 32 incidents, marking a welcome decline in the most serious category of offences. This decrease could be linked to seasonal factors such as shorter evenings, which may reduce opportunities for late-night incidents. Conversely, shoplifting increased by 66.7%, rising from 3 to 5 incidents—a sharp upward trend that deserves closer attention. This rise may reflect Halloween-related activity, though the small sample size means caution is needed in drawing conclusions. Criminal damage and arson also increased by 50%, from 6 to 9 incidents. In contrast, vehicle crime dropped by 75%, from 4 to 1, likely due to reduced traffic during the month or improved security measures at local car parks. The category of 'other crime' rose by 33.3%, a term that encompasses a range of less-defined offences, though this remains a small portion of overall crime. Uckfield’s performance relative to the UK average is striking: violence and sexual offences are 22% below the national rate, and shoplifting is 48% below. However, the 'other crime' category is 114% above the UK average, a disparity that highlights the need for more granular analysis of these unclassified incidents.

Compared to September 2023, Uckfield’s crime rate fell by 9.5%, from 5.7 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This reduction is particularly evident in violent crime, which declined by 13.5%, though the overall rate remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in October, a figure that provides context for residents concerned about local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 194 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, while aggregate, offers a tangible measure of how frequently crime impacts the local population. When considered alongside the area’s population of 14,974, the numbers suggest that Uckfield’s residents face a markedly lower risk of victimisation compared to the national average. The decline in vehicle crime and the reduction in violent incidents contribute to this improved position, though the rise in shoplifting and criminal damage indicates that certain challenges remain. These figures highlight the importance of comparing local trends to both national benchmarks and historical data, as they provide a more complete picture of Uckfield’s evolving crime profile.