Ashford (Ashford) Crime Rate

Ashford (Ashford) currently has an overall crime rate of 99.3 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 91.6. This results in a safety score of 77/100, slightly below the national average of 79. However, the recent trend direction is positive, with a 7.1% decrease in crime over the past year. Property crime is a notable factor in the town, with rates exceeding the national norm. For residents and visitors, understanding these patterns is crucial for personal and property safety. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the town's crime profile, including the types of offences most common and the times they are most likely to occur.

In Ashford (Ashford), violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 36.9% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 16.4%, followed by shoplifting at 12.6%. Property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—is a significant factor in the town's safety profile, with a rate of 34.2 per 1,000 residents. This is slightly higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Criminal damage and arson also make up 8.6% of local crime. For residents and homeowners, this indicates that property security is a priority. Burglary specifically accounts for 2.5% of total crime, suggesting that while physical property risk exists, it is largely concentrated in theft-related offences.

The crime trend in Ashford is currently decreasing, with a 7.1% reduction over the last year. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate fluctuated, starting at 8.0 per 1,000 in January and reaching a peak of 9.8 in July. There was a notable drop in September (6.9), followed by a slight increase toward the end of the year, reaching 9.1 in December. This downward trajectory overall suggests that the town is becoming safer. For residents, this means that local safety initiatives and policing are having a positive impact, providing a more secure environment for the community.

How To Keep Safe in Ashford (Ashford)

The most common crime in Ashford is violence and sexual offences, often occurring in busy urban areas. To stay safe, consider these localized suggestions:

• Be Mindful in the Town Centre: When shopping or socialising in the town centre, especially in the evenings, stay in well-lit, busy areas and travel with friends where possible.
• Secure Your Vehicle Overnight: With vehicle crime making up 25% of night-time incidents, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a secure, well-lit area.
• Invest in Proactive Home Security: Given the 34.2 property crime rate, traditional locks may not be enough. Consider an AI-powered security system that can detect and deter intruders at the boundary.
• Stay Alert During Peak Hours: During the afternoon when theft peaks, keep your personal belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings in busy shopping areas.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: Reporting ASB helps local authorities identify and manage hotspots, preventing more serious crimes from occurring in your neighbourhood.

In Ashford, crime patterns show distinct variations throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is a peak time for theft, which accounts for 48% of these offences as the town's commercial areas are most active. This period also sees 14% of the day's burglaries. As evening falls (6pm-12am), the focus shifts toward other crimes, which make up 60% of incidents during this time. Night-time (12am-6am) is particularly high for vehicle crime, which accounts for 25% of all reported incidents in the early hours, and burglary peaks at 17%. This data suggests that while daytime crimes are more focused on commercial theft, night-time activity is heavily targeted at unattended property and vehicles. Residents should be particularly vigilant about home and vehicle security overnight.

In the local regional context, Ashford's crime rate of 99.3 per 1,000 is higher than that of nearby Finberry (64.2). Other nearby areas such as Kingsnorth, Great Chart, and Sevington report exceptionally low crime rates in this dataset. This comparison shows that Ashford acts as a central urban hub with more concentrated criminal activity than its smaller or more suburban neighbours. For those living in the area, this highlights the importance of being safety-conscious and investing in robust home security measures.

With a property crime rate of 34.2 per 1,000, Ashford residents should consider security that offers proactive protection. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a town with this crime profile, proactive protection is far more effective. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crimes before they happen. By detecting threats at the property boundary and using autonomous responses—such as activating lights or audio alerts—scOS can deter potential intruders. This is especially valuable for vehicle crime, which is high in Ashford at night. A system that identifies a threat before a vehicle is tampered with provides a level of security that reactive systems simply cannot match.