Crime in Bearsted: statistics, rates and trends

297 crimes were recorded in Bearsted in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 117 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bearsted has the 1,363rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bearsted was highest in the year to July 2018 (332 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (267). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Bearsted 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 anti-social behaviour (+243%).

The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-48%) and vehicle crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bearsted

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bearsted recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 39.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bearsted

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bearsted recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 243% on the year before. It made up 26.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bearsted

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bearsted recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bearsted

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bearsted recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bearsted

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bearsted recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bearsted

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bearsted recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bearsted

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bearsted recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bearsted

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bearsted recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bearsted

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bearsted recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bearsted

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bearsted recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bearsted

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bearsted recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

1 areas within Bearsted, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bearsted & Downswood had the highest rate (36.3 per 1,000) and Bearsted & Downswood the lowest (36.3). 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 Bearsted over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bearsted 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.

Bearsted has an estimated population of 8,386. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bearsted sits in decile 9.2, 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 Bearsted. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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