Uckfield Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Uckfield's May 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 remains 29.6% below the UK average, reflecting a persistent pattern of lower-than-national crime levels in this built-up area of Wealden. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.9% of total incidents (30 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (25.6%, 22 cases) and shoplifting (11.6%, 10 cases). This mix aligns with Uckfield's character as a small town with a mix of residential and retail areas, where violence may stem from local social dynamics and anti-social behaviour often clusters around public spaces. Seasonal factors in May — including bank holidays and longer evenings — likely contributed to the 11.6% share of shoplifting, as increased foot traffic in retail zones may create opportunities for theft. Property crimes (27 cases) slightly outpaced violent crimes (30 cases), a shift from previous months that may reflect seasonal changes in crime patterns. Despite the 16.2% monthly increase in the overall rate, Uckfield's crime profile continues to demonstrate resilience compared to the UK average, with categories like public order offences (0.2 per 1,000, 66% below UK levels) showing particularly strong underperformance. The local context — a community with limited large-scale commercial hubs — likely explains the lower rates of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000, 75% below UK levels) and burglary (0.3 per 1,000, 7% above UK levels), suggesting that while localized challenges exist, broader structural factors keep Uckfield's crime picture distinct from larger urban centres.

The most significant improvement in May 2025 was the 50% decrease in 'other crime,' which fell from 2 to 1 incidents — a drop that may reflect seasonal lulls or targeted local interventions. Conversely, shoplifting surged 233.3% (3 to 10 incidents), likely tied to May's longer evenings and bank holidays, which often see increased foot traffic in retail areas. Vehicle crime also doubled (1 to 2 incidents), linked to warmer weather prompting more outdoor vehicle use. Violent crimes in Uckfield remain 29% below the UK average (2.0 vs 2.8 per 1,000), with anti-social behaviour at 1.5 per 1,000 (6% above UK levels) illustrating a mixed picture of local challenges. The sharp rise in drug-related incidents (1 to 2) contrasts with a 64% UK-wide deficit in this category, suggesting localized pressures that warrant further community focus.

Uckfield's crime rate in May 2025 rose 16.2% compared to April's 4.9 per 1,000, reaching 5.7 per 1,000 — still 29.6% below the UK average. This increase, though modest, reflects a local pattern: 3 crimes reported daily on average, translating to 1 crime for every 174 residents over the month. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Uckfield remains significantly safer than the UK average, with violent crimes at 2.0 per 1,000 (34.9% of total crimes), 29% below the UK's 2.8 per 1,000. Daily crime figures offer a tangible measure for residents, showing that while the rate increased, the absolute number of crimes remains low in an area with 14,974 residents. The shift in crime mix — a 3.5% increase in property crimes versus violent crimes — may partly explain the rise, as shoplifting and vehicle crime both climbed sharply. However, the overall trajectory remains downward compared to national benchmarks, suggesting local factors such as community policing or economic stability may temper broader UK trends.