Upper Dicker Crime Rate

Upper Dicker is a notably safe and tranquil urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a high degree of security for its 2,542 residents. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 92/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of only 32.3 per 1,000 people, it is well below the national average of 91.6. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a positive trend in safety, with a 20.4% decrease in total crimes over the last year. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, confirms that Upper Dicker is one of the most secure locations in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which remain very low.

In Upper Dicker, the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 42.7% of all incidents at a rate of 13.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by other theft (12.2%) and anti-social behaviour (8.5%). These figures are very low compared to national averages, reflecting the area's quiet, rural character.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Upper Dicker maintains a low rate of 11.0 per 1,000 people. This is roughly one-third of the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for 7.3% of total crime (2.4 per 1,000), and vehicle crime is at 4.9%. For homeowners, this indicates that the risk of serious acquisitive crime is minimal. The primary property-related concern is 'other theft,' suggesting that opportunistic stealing of unsecured items is the main risk, rather than forced entry into homes. However, the 7.3% burglary rate is slightly higher than in some neighbouring villages, warranting sensible security measures.

Upper Dicker's crime trend is very positive, with a 20.4% year-over-year decrease in total reported incidents. This downward trend suggests that the area is becoming even safer over time. Analysis of the monthly trendData for 2025 reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 started at 2.4 in January and reached a peak of 5.1 in July. Other notable months include May (3.9) and August (4.3). Conversely, February saw the lowest activity of the year with a rate of just 0.4 per 1,000. The latter half of the year remained stable, with rates between 2.0 and 3.5. For residents, this overall decline in activity, especially when compared to the national average, reinforces Upper Dicker's status as a highly secure and peaceful community.

How To Keep Safe in Upper Dicker

The most common crime in Upper Dicker is violence and sexual offences, though this occurs at a rate much lower than the national average. To help maintain the safety of this community, consider the following advice:

• Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and tools are kept in locked sheds or garages, as 'other theft' is the most common property-related risk in the area.
• Be mindful of home security during the afternoon, as 26% of the area's few burglaries occur during these hours when residents may be away.
• Install motion-sensor lighting around the perimeter of your property, particularly near driveways, to deter the 34% of vehicle crimes that happen at night.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local Wealden police, as this helps maintain the village's high safety score and prevents minor issues from escalating.
• If you have outbuildings or barns, ensure they are fitted with robust, high-quality locks, as these can be targets for opportunistic theft in rural settlements.

Crime in Upper Dicker follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and late-night hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 52-54% of all activity. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur during the day when properties may be unoccupied. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property security; despite low overall volume, 32% of burglaries and 34% of vehicle crimes occur during these hours. This indicates that vehicles and homes are most at risk when the village is quietest, highlighting the need for robust overnight security measures.

Upper Dicker is situated in a very low-crime part of East Sussex. When compared to the larger town of Hailsham, which has a crime rate of 74.3 per 1,000, Upper Dicker is significantly safer at 32.3. Several nearby hamlets, including Lower Dicker, Golden Cross, and Ripe, all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small, rural populations. Upper Dicker's slightly higher rate is due to its larger population and status as a village centre. For residents in the area, Upper Dicker offers a peaceful middle ground between the busier urban environment of Hailsham and the absolute quiet of the surrounding hamlets.

With a property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000, Upper Dicker is statistically very safe, but the presence of 'other theft' and occasional burglary means that security should not be ignored. Traditional security systems, like Ring or Nest, are often reactive; they only provide footage after a crime has occurred. For a quiet area like Upper Dicker, proactive protection is a better investment. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to identify and stop threats at the property line. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your home's exterior in real-time, recognizing residents and regular visitors while flagging suspicious behaviour. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights or audio alerts, deterring a potential intruder before they even approach your door. This proactive approach ensures your home remains as secure as the local statistics suggest.