Uckfield Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 marked a continued decline in Uckfield's overall crime rate, which stood at 3.5 per 1,000 residents — 56.8% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This represents a significant divergence from national trends, with local crime patterns shaped by the area's character as a relatively low-density built-up area within Wealden. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.9% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (15.1%) and anti-social behaviour (13.2%). These figures contrast with national averages, where violence and sexual offences are 51% higher (2.7 per 1,000), shoplifting is 31% higher (0.7 per 1,000), and anti-social behaviour is 61% higher (1.3 per 1,000). Seasonal factors likely influenced the data, as October's shorter evenings and Halloween activities may have altered public behaviour patterns. The relatively low rate of property crimes compared to violent crimes suggests a different crime profile than larger urban centres, where property offences often dominate. Uckfield's crime rate remained consistently below the UK average across all categories except for possession of weapons, which was 43% above the national average. This anomaly may reflect local enforcement priorities or unreported incidents, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. The overall trend indicates a safer environment compared to the UK, though the small number of crimes reported (53 total) means statistical fluctuations can occur, particularly for less common offences.

The month-on-month comparison revealed a 24.2% decrease in Uckfield's crime rate, falling from 4.7 per 1,000 in September to 3.5 per 1,000 in October. This decline was most pronounced in anti-social behaviour, which dropped by 56.3% (from 16 to 7 incidents), and drugs-related offences, which fell by 50% (from 2 to 1). However, burglary saw a sharp increase of 100%, rising from 2 to 4 incidents, while shoplifting also rose by 60% (from 5 to 8). These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour potentially decreasing due to Halloween-related community events or seasonal changes in public activity. The increase in burglary may be linked to October's darker evenings, which could create opportunities for opportunistic offences. Uckfield's violent crime rate (1.3 per 1,000) remained 51% below the UK average, a consistent trend that suggests the area's lower population density and rural characteristics may contribute to reduced violent incidents. The only crime category above the UK average was possession of weapons, which was 43% higher than the national rate of 0.1 per 1,000. This discrepancy could reflect local policing strategies or unrecorded incidents, though the small number of cases (just 1) means caution is needed in interpreting the data.

Uckfield's October 2024 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents represents a 24.2% decrease from September's rate of 4.7 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend that has likely been influenced by seasonal factors and local initiatives. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day over the month — a figure that provides context for residents assessing local safety. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 283 residents illustrates the low likelihood of an individual being directly affected by crime. This is particularly notable when compared to the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be significantly higher. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the impact of Uckfield's relatively small size: with 14,974 residents, even a modest number of crimes can create noticeable fluctuations in statistics. For example, the increase in burglary from 2 to 4 incidents in October may appear significant, but in a town of this size, such changes can be attributed to a variety of factors, including weather patterns, community engagement, and temporary spikes in opportunity crime. The consistent gap between Uckfield's crime rates and the UK average — particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting — reinforces the area's distinct characteristics as a low-crime environment, where local demographics and geography may play a role in maintaining lower levels of criminal activity.