Crime in Lower Willingdon: statistics, rates and trends
386 crimes were recorded in Lower Willingdon in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 14% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lower Willingdon at a glance
- Crime trends in Lower Willingdon
- Types of crime in Lower Willingdon
- Lower Willingdon compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Lower Willingdon
- Streets with the most crime in Lower Willingdon
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lower Willingdon
- Population and deprivation in Lower Willingdon
- Questions about crime in Lower Willingdon
- About this data
386 crimes were recorded in Lower Willingdon in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 141 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lower Willingdon has the 1,198th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lower Willingdon | Wealden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 386 | 9,033 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 47.8 | 54.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +14% | +10% | -1% |
| Population | 8,083 | 166,908 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lower Willingdon was highest in the year to July 2026 (386 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (237). Over the whole period it rose 24%, 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 | 386 | 47.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 339 | 41.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 282 | 34.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 237 | 29.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 275 | 34.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 275 | 34.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 299 | 37.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 339 | 41.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 312 | 38.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 39 |
| June 2026 | 43 |
| May 2026 | 41 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 22 |
| February 2026 | 20 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 27 |
| November 2025 | 32 |
| October 2025 | 40 |
| September 2025 | 28 |
| August 2025 | 32 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lower Willingdon 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%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-53%) and public order (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 141 | 17.4 | 0.51 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 89 | 11.0 | 0.72 | +56% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 42 | 5.2 | 0.77 | +133% |
| Other theft | 24 | 3.0 | 0.46 | +60% |
| Public order | 21 | 2.6 | 0.39 | -36% |
| Shoplifting | 15 | 1.9 | 0.22 | -53% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.9 | 0.38 | +7% |
| Burglary | 14 | 1.7 | 0.49 | -30% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.6 | 0.76 | +160% |
| Drugs | 5 | 0.6 | 0.19 | +25% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.5 | 0.37 | +300% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.38 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lower Willingdon
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lower Willingdon recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 36.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lower Willingdon
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lower Willingdon recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 23.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lower Willingdon
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lower Willingdon recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lower Willingdon
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lower Willingdon recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lower Willingdon
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lower Willingdon recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lower Willingdon
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lower Willingdon recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lower Willingdon
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lower Willingdon recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lower Willingdon
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lower Willingdon recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lower Willingdon
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lower Willingdon 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 160% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lower Willingdon
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lower Willingdon 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 up 25% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lower Willingdon
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lower Willingdon recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lower Willingdon
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lower Willingdon recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Lower Willingdon, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lower Willingdon.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lower Willingdon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polegate | 589 | 62.4 | +31% |
| Eastbourne | 14,193 | 142.0 | +197% |
| Hailsham | 1,814 | 83.9 | +76% |
| Seaford | 1,143 | 47.8 | +0% |
| Newhaven | 2,021 | 134.6 | +182% |
| Bexhill-on-Sea | 3,967 | 85.9 | +80% |
| Peacehaven | 1,166 | 72.1 | +51% |
| Heathfield (Wealden) | 365 | 44.0 | -8% |
2 areas within Lower Willingdon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Upper Willingdon had the highest rate (60.5 per 1,000) and Lower Willingdon the lowest (34.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Willingdon | Neighbourhood | 3,457 | 209 | 60.5 |
| Lower Willingdon | Neighbourhood | 3,051 | 106 | 34.7 |
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 Lower Willingdon over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Blue Bird Way | 44 |
| On or near St Davids Close | 23 |
| On or near Parking Area | 18 |
| On or near Broad Road | 17 |
| On or near St Martins Road | 17 |
| On or near Eastbourne Road | 16 |
| On or near Regnum Close | 14 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 12 |
| On or near Park Croft | 11 |
| On or near The Triangle | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lower Willingdon 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 | 133 | 34.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 97 | 25.1% |
| Not recorded | 89 | 23.1% |
| Under investigation | 27 | 7.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 1.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 5 | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Lower Willingdon has an estimated population of 8,083. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lower Willingdon sits in decile 8.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lower Willingdon |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 52.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 33.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 86.4% |
| Social rented homes | 3.1% |
| Private rented homes | 10.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.0 |
Is Lower Willingdon a safe place to live?
Lower Willingdon recorded 47.8 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 Lower Willingdon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (89).
Is crime in Lower Willingdon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lower Willingdon was up 14% on the year before: 386 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 339 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lower Willingdon?
Lower Willingdon 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 Lower Willingdon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.