Crime in Wealden: statistics, rates and trends

9,033 crimes were recorded in Wealden in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,081 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Wealden has the 286th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Wealden was highest in the year to July 2026 (9,033 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (7,705). Over the whole period it rose 13%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wealden over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in robbery (+64%) and anti-social behaviour (+42%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-21%) and vehicle crime (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Wealden

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wealden recorded 3,081 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 34.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Wealden

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wealden recorded 2,129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Wealden

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wealden recorded 761 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Wealden

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wealden recorded 684 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Wealden

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wealden recorded 656 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Wealden

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wealden recorded 560 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Wealden

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wealden recorded 303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Wealden

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wealden recorded 296 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Wealden

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wealden recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Wealden

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wealden recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Wealden

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wealden recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Wealden

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wealden recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Wealden

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wealden recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Wealden

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wealden recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Wealden, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wealden.

65 areas within Wealden, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hailsham Central had the highest rate (122.3 per 1,000) and Groombridge the lowest (19.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Wealden over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wealden over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Wealden has an estimated population of 166,908. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wealden sits in decile 7.2, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Wealden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.