Wadhurst Crime Rate

Wadhurst Crime Statistics

Wadhurst is a secure urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, with an overall crime rate of 62.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, earning the area a high safety score of 88/100. The crime trend in Wadhurst is stable, with a minor 3.8% change year-over-year. The property crime rate is also low at 12.2 per 1,000, which is well below the UK average of 32.3. These figures indicate that Wadhurst is a safe residential area with a low risk of serious crime, although anti-social behaviour and personal offences remain the most common local issues.

Crime in Wadhurst

The most frequent crime category in Wadhurst is anti-social behaviour, which constitutes 40.7% of all reported incidents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 25.9% and public order offences at 10.2%. These statistics indicate that while overall crime is below the national average, nuisance-related issues and personal offences are the primary concerns for the local community.

Property crime in Wadhurst occurs at a rate of 12.2 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. 'Other theft' and shoplifting are the most common property-related offences, each accounting for 6.5% of total crime. Burglary and criminal damage are relatively low, representing 1.9% and 3.7% respectively. For homeowners and local businesses, this suggests a generally secure environment, though the prevalence of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining security for commercial premises and public spaces.

Crime Trends in Wadhurst

The crime trend in Wadhurst is stable, with a 3.8% change in total offences compared to the previous year. Monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with a significant peak in October 2025 at 13.9 per 1,000. For the rest of the year, rates generally remained between 1.2 and 6.4. This overall stability suggests that Wadhurst remains a safe place to live, with local safety measures and community awareness effectively maintaining a consistent safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Wadhurst

The most common crime type in Wadhurst is anti-social behaviour, which often includes public nuisance or minor disturbances. To stay safe in this community:

1. Participate in local community watch schemes to stay informed about any suspicious activity or specific local safety concerns.
2. Secure your vehicles overnight, preferably in a garage or well-lit driveway, as vehicle crime accounts for 20% of all incidents reported during the night-time hours.
3. Ensure that your home is secure when you are away during the afternoon, as this is a peak time for local theft-related offences.
4. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities, as this helps maintain the area's high safety standards.
5. Keep high-value items out of sight from windows to reduce the temptation for opportunistic theft or criminal damage.

Crime Timing in Wadhurst

Analysis of crime timing in Wadhurst reveals distinct patterns across the day. The morning hours are dominated by theft (62%), making this a primary concern for local residents and property owners. As the day progresses into the afternoon, theft remains the most frequent offence (64%), while burglary accounts for 16% of reports. The evening sees a shift toward 'other' crimes (43%), which include anti-social behaviour and public order issues. During the night (12am-6am), burglary peaks at a significant 26% of all incidents, and vehicle crime accounts for 20%. This suggests that while theft is a major concern during the day, residential security becomes the critical priority during the evening and overnight hours.

Nearby Area Comparison

When comparing Wadhurst to its immediate neighbours, it sits in a relatively safe part of Sussex. Wadhurst is more active than nearby Frant, which has a lower crime rate of 42.5 per 1,000. It is also significantly more active than several very quiet nearby areas such as Cousley Wood, The Platt, and Town Row, all of which recorded zero crimes per 1,000 people. This makes Wadhurst a central hub for the local area, offering a safe residential environment while serving as a primary location for local commercial and social activity.

Proactive Security in Wadhurst

With a property crime rate of 12.2 per 1,000, Wadhurst is a safe area, but the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and occasional burglaries suggests that residents should remain proactive about home security. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, are reactive—they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred but do little to prevent it.

For those seeking true peace of mind, scOS offers a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera AI intelligence, scOS identifies potential threats at the boundary of your property. If an unauthorized person enters your property, the system can autonomously respond with lights and audio warnings, deterring the individual before they can cause damage or enter your home. In an area like Wadhurst, the visible presence of a professional-grade, AI-powered system is often enough to make opportunistic criminals move on to an easier target. Protecting your home is about stopping threats, not just recording them.