Local Area Crime Statistics

Ashford Crime Rate

Crime is decreasing and LOW in Ashford

Discover crime rates in Ashford: 78.0 crimes per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 82/100. Understand local crime statistics and trends.

Overall Crime Rate

78.1
per 1,000 people
16% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

27.1
per 1,000 people
18% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 140,936 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Ashford

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Ashford
Overall Crime Rate78.1 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate27.1 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score82 out of 100
Population140,936
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Ashford
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,2313038%
Anti-social behaviour1,61811.515%
Shoplifting1,2058.611%
Criminal damage and arson1,0107.29%
Other theft7775.57%
Public order5093.65%
Drugs3582.53%
Vehicle crime3572.53%
Other crime3272.33%
Burglary3062.23%
Possession of weapons13711%
Bicycle theft750.51%
Robbery510.40%
Theft from the person390.30%

About Ashford Crime Statistics

Ashford presents an overall crime rate of 78.0 crimes per 1,000 residents per year, positioning it below the UK average of 93.4 crimes per 1,000. The area boasts a safety score of 82 out of 100, which is notably higher than the UK average safety score of 78. This indicates a relatively safer environment compared to many other parts of the country. Looking at recent trends, Ashford has experienced a decreasing crime rate, with a year-over-year change of -7.6%. This introduction sets the context for a more detailed exploration of crime statistics and patterns within the area.

Ashford Safety Score

82
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Ashford has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Ashford

Hothfield

106.9
per 1,000
High Risk

Ashford (Ashford)

99.1
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Tenterden

75.4
per 1,000
Low Risk

Charing

67.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Old Wives Lees

63.2
per 1,000
Low Risk

Pluckley

62.9
per 1,000
Low Risk

High Halden

60.7
per 1,000
Low Risk

Biddenden

58.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Bethersden

57.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Smarden

56.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Wye

54.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Finberry

54.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Factors Influencing Crime in Ashford

Ashford, a significant market town in Kent, exhibits a crime profile influenced by a combination of its urban characteristics and its role as a regional hub. As a large administrative centre with a population of over 140,000, it features a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones. The presence of Ashford International railway station contributes to a transient population, with a consistent flow of commuters and visitors, which can sometimes correlate with certain types of crime, such as theft. The town's vibrant retail sector and nightlife also create environments where specific offences, including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, might be more prevalent. While these factors contribute to the overall crime statistics, Ashford's relatively high safety score suggests effective community and policing efforts are in place to mitigate these influences and maintain public order.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,231 incidents (30 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,618 incidents (11.5 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,205 incidents (8.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,010 incidents (7.2 per 1,000)
Other theft
777 incidents (5.5 per 1,000)
Public order
509 incidents (3.6 per 1,000)
Drugs
358 incidents (2.5 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
357 incidents (2.5 per 1,000)
Other crime
327 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Burglary
306 incidents (2.2 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
137 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
75 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
51 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
39 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 15.2% change(over 12 months)
Ashford
UK Average

Compare Ashford with similar populations

Ashford has a 16.4% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Ashford

An analysis of crime types in Ashford reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 38.5% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 30.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour, which makes up 14.7% of crimes at 11.5 per 1,000, and Shoplifting, representing 10.9% of the total with 8.6 crimes per 1,000. When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Ashford records a rate of 27.1 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight the importance of securing properties against theft and being aware of public order concerns, particularly given the prevalence of violence and anti-social behaviour.

Crime Trends in Ashford

Ashford has seen a positive trend in its crime statistics, with a year-over-year decrease of -7.6%. This indicates an improvement in overall safety within the last twelve months. Examining the monthly trend data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents has fluctuated. Starting at 6.6 in October 2024, it saw a slight increase to 6.9 in November before dropping to 5.6 in February 2025, marking one of the lowest points. A notable peak occurred in July 2025 at 7.7 crimes per 1,000, followed by a decrease to 5.6 in September 2025. This overall downward trend, despite monthly variations, suggests that efforts to tackle crime are having an impact, offering a reassuring outlook for residents, though continued vigilance is always prudent.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, Ashford's crime rate of 78.0 per 1,000 residents and safety score of 82/100 can be compared with several nearby areas. Folkestone and Hythe, Maidstone, Swale, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and Rother all contribute to the broader picture of safety in the region. Ashford generally maintains a more favourable safety profile than the UK average, and often compares well with its neighbours, offering a sense of relative security. Understanding these comparisons helps residents and prospective movers gauge the local environment within a wider geographical context, highlighting Ashford's position as a relatively safer area in the region.

Protecting Your Property in Ashford

Given Ashford's property crime rate of 27.1 per 1,000 people per year, which includes burglaries, thefts, and vehicle crimes, proactive security measures are essential for residents. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting as a reactive recording device rather than a preventative one. For those seeking genuine protection, consider systems that focus on prevention. AI-powered home security operating systems, like scOS, detect threats at your property boundary, stopping crime before it happens. Instead of merely recording an incident, these professional-grade systems intervene in real-time. Features such as multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, and pattern learning ensure that only real threats trigger an alert, destroying the element of surprise for potential intruders. The right security system makes that 60-second decision easy for burglars – they move on, making your property a less appealing target.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Ashford

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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