Westham Crime Rate

Westham is a safe urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a secure environment for its 1,529 residents. The area boasts a safety score of 85/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of 79.2 per 1,000 people, Westham is below the national average of 91.6. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a positive trend in safety, with a 9.7% decrease in total crimes over the last year. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, highlights Westham as a secure location in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which are lower than national norms, although it is more active than some of its immediate coastal neighbours.

In Westham, the most frequently reported crimes are violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour, each accounting for 24.0% of all incidents at a rate of 19.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by public order offences (13.2%) and shoplifting (10.7%). Together, these categories represent the primary focus of local police activity.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Westham maintains a rate of 25.5 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2, but notably higher than many of its more rural neighbours. Specifically, burglary accounts for 1.6% of total crime (1.3 per 1,000), while vehicle crime is significantly higher at 5.8% (4.6 per 1,000). For homeowners, this indicates that while the risk of break-ins is low, vehicle security is a more pressing concern, with 52% of vehicle crimes occurring at night. The presence of shoplifting also points to a more active retail environment compared to nearby villages.

Westham's crime trend is positive, with a 9.7% 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 7.2 in January and reached a peak of 11.1 in May. Other notable months include March (9.2) and September (8.5). Conversely, April saw the lowest activity of the year with a rate of just 3.3 per 1,000. The latter half of the year remained relatively stable, with rates between 5.2 and 6.5. For residents, this overall decline in activity reinforces Westham's reputation as a secure and peaceful community.

How To Keep Safe in Westham

The most common crimes in Westham are violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. 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.
• Given that vehicle crime is a significant part of local property crime, ensure your vehicle is locked, parked in a well-lit area, and that no valuables are left inside.
• Be mindful of home security during the afternoon, as 10% 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 52% 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 Westham follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and night-time hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 56-61% 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 vehicle security; despite low overall volume, 52% of vehicle crimes occur during these hours. This indicates that vehicles are most at risk when the village is quietest, highlighting the need for robust overnight security measures like driveway lighting and alarms.

Westham is located in a cluster of safe East Sussex settlements near the coast. When compared to the nearby major hub of Eastbourne, which has a much higher crime rate of 132.7 per 1,000, Westham is significantly safer at 79.2. However, it is more active than its immediate neighbours: Stone Cross (51.0), Pevensey Bay (39.9), and the Crumbles (28.8). For residents, Westham offers a secure residential environment that is significantly quieter than Eastbourne but serves as a more active hub compared to the exceptionally quiet surrounding villages and coastal hamlets. The recent decrease in reported incidents further reinforces its status as a safe choice for the region.

With a property crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000, Westham residents should take security seriously, particularly regarding vehicles. Traditional security systems, like Ring or Nest, are often reactive; they only provide footage after a crime has occurred. For an area like Westham, where vehicle crime is a notable risk, 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 property. This proactive approach is particularly effective against the night-time vehicle crime that makes up 5.8% of local activity.