Crime in Heathfield (Wealden): statistics, rates and trends
365 crimes were recorded in Heathfield (Wealden) in the 12 months to July 2026, 44.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Heathfield (Wealden) at a glance
- Crime trends in Heathfield (Wealden)
- Types of crime in Heathfield (Wealden)
- Heathfield (Wealden) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Heathfield (Wealden)
- Streets with the most crime in Heathfield (Wealden)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Heathfield (Wealden)
- Population and deprivation in Heathfield (Wealden)
- Questions about crime in Heathfield (Wealden)
- About this data
365 crimes were recorded in Heathfield (Wealden) in the 12 months to July 2026, 44.0 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 129 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Heathfield (Wealden) has the 1,249th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Heathfield (Wealden) | Wealden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 365 | 9,033 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 44.0 | 54.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | +10% | -1% |
| Population | 8,301 | 166,908 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Heathfield (Wealden) was highest in the year to July 2021 (470 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (333). Over the whole period it fell 9%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 365 | 44.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 333 | 40.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 342 | 41.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 406 | 48.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 434 | 52.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 470 | 56.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 430 | 51.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 358 | 43.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 401 | 48.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 33 |
| June 2026 | 37 |
| May 2026 | 37 |
| April 2026 | 28 |
| March 2026 | 21 |
| February 2026 | 28 |
| January 2026 | 41 |
| December 2025 | 27 |
| November 2025 | 19 |
| October 2025 | 27 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 36 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Heathfield (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 anti-social behaviour (+56%) and shoplifting (+16%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-71%) and criminal damage and arson (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 129 | 15.5 | 0.45 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 92 | 11.1 | 0.72 | +56% |
| Shoplifting | 29 | 3.5 | 0.42 | +16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 3.4 | 0.50 | -32% |
| Public order | 23 | 2.8 | 0.42 | -4% |
| Burglary | 16 | 1.9 | 0.54 | +100% |
| Other theft | 14 | 1.7 | 0.26 | -26% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.6 | 0.74 | +117% |
| Drugs | 7 | 0.8 | 0.26 | +600% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.7 | 0.74 | +50% |
| Vehicle crime | 6 | 0.7 | 0.15 | -71% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Heathfield (Wealden)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 35.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Heathfield (Wealden)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 25.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Heathfield (Wealden)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Heathfield (Wealden)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Heathfield (Wealden)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Heathfield (Wealden)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Heathfield (Wealden)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Heathfield (Wealden)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 117% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Heathfield (Wealden)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Heathfield (Wealden)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Heathfield (Wealden)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Heathfield (Wealden)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Heathfield (Wealden)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Heathfield (Wealden), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Heathfield (Wealden).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Heathfield (Wealden) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uckfield | 951 | 60.7 | +38% |
| Crowborough | 930 | 43.9 | -0% |
| Hailsham | 1,814 | 83.9 | +91% |
| Polegate | 589 | 62.4 | +42% |
| Lower Willingdon | 386 | 47.8 | +9% |
| Rusthall and Langton Green | 406 | 50.8 | +15% |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells | 4,213 | 79.4 | +81% |
| Lewes | 1,813 | 110.3 | +151% |
2 areas within Heathfield (Wealden), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Heathfield North had the highest rate (57.4 per 1,000) and Heathfield South the lowest (23.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathfield North | Neighbourhood | 5,050 | 290 | 57.4 |
| Heathfield South | Neighbourhood | 3,251 | 75 | 23.1 |
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 Heathfield (Wealden) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 35 |
| On or near Parking Area | 27 |
| On or near Millennium Way | 17 |
| On or near Waldron Thorns | 16 |
| On or near Centenary Drive | 13 |
| On or near Newnham Way | 13 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 13 |
| On or near Leeves Close | 12 |
| On or near Beeches Close | 10 |
| On or near Brackenside | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Heathfield (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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 114 | 31.2% |
| Not recorded | 92 | 25.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 81 | 22.2% |
| Under investigation | 28 | 7.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 13 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 3.0% |
| Local resolution | 11 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
Heathfield (Wealden) has an estimated population of 8,301. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Heathfield (Wealden) sits in decile 8.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Heathfield (Wealden) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.0% |
| Social rented homes | 7.0% |
| Private rented homes | 16.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.1 |
Is Heathfield (Wealden) a safe place to live?
Heathfield (Wealden) recorded 44.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Heathfield (Wealden)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (92).
Is crime in Heathfield (Wealden) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Heathfield (Wealden) was up 10% on the year before: 365 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 333 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Heathfield (Wealden)?
Heathfield (Wealden) is policed by Sussex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Heathfield (Wealden). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.