Wadhurst Crime Rate

Wadhurst is a safe and tranquil urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a high degree of security for its 1,725 residents. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 87/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of 66.1 per 1,000 people, Wadhurst is well below the national average of 91.6. While there has been a slight increasing trend of 17.5% year-over-year, the area remains exceptionally secure. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, highlights Wadhurst as a secure location in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which are much lower than national norms.

In Wadhurst, the most frequently reported crime is anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 40.4% of all incidents at a rate of 26.7 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences (28.1%) and public order offences (9.7%). Together, these three types make up nearly 80% of all police activity in the area.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Wadhurst maintains a low rate of 11.6 per 1,000 people. This is roughly one-third of the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for only 1.8% of total crime (1.2 per 1,000), and vehicle crime is at just 0.9%. For homeowners, this indicates that the risk of serious acquisitive crime is very low. The primary property-related concern is shoplifting and other theft, suggesting that opportunistic stealing from local businesses and public areas is the main risk, rather than forced residential entry.

Wadhurst's crime trend shows a 17.5% increase in total reported incidents over the last year. While any increase is worth noting, Wadhurst remains significantly safer than the national average. Analysis of the monthly trendData for 2025 reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 started at 2.3 in January and reached a peak of 13.9 in October. Other notable months include August (6.4) and November (6.4). Conversely, January saw the lowest activity of the year. The latter half of the year showed a general increase in activity compared to the first half, particularly in the autumn. For residents, this overall increase suggests that maintaining consistent security measures is important, particularly during the more active later months of the year.

How To Keep Safe in Wadhurst

The most common crime in Wadhurst is anti-social behaviour, followed by violence and sexual offences. To maintain your personal safety and contribute to the community's security, consider these tips:

• Report any persistent anti-social behaviour to the local Wealden police, as early intervention can prevent these issues from escalating.
• Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and tools are kept in locked sheds or garages, as 'other theft' and shoplifting are the most common property-related risks in the area.
• Be mindful of home security during the afternoon, as 16% 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 to deter the 26% of burglaries and 20% of vehicle crimes that happen at night.
• For those with outbuildings or garages, ensure they are fitted with robust locks, as these can be secondary targets for opportunistic theft in rural settlements.

Crime in Wadhurst follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and evening hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 62-64% 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, 26% of burglaries and 20% 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.

Wadhurst is located in a cluster of safe East Sussex and Kent border settlements. When compared to the larger town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which has a crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000, Wadhurst is notably safer at 66.1. It is, however, more active than the nearby village of Frant, which reports a lower rate of 41.5. Several immediate hamlets, including Cousley Wood, The Platt, and Town Row, report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small populations. For residents, Wadhurst offers a secure residential environment that is more active than the tiniest hamlets but significantly quieter than the busier regional hubs.

With a property crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000, Wadhurst is statistically very safe, but the presence of anti-social behaviour and occasional burglary means 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 Wadhurst, 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.