Bethersden Crime Rate

Bethersden Crime Overview

Bethersden is a village with a strong safety profile, evidenced by its safety score of 86/100. The overall crime rate is 57.6 per 1,000 people, which is considerably lower than the UK national average of 91.7. This indicates that Bethersden remains a relatively secure place to live and work. However, it is important to note that the area has seen a 24.1% increase in crime year-over-year. While the absolute number of crimes remains low due to the small population, this upward trend warrants attention from residents. Property crime also sits below the national average, though burglary is one of the more frequently recorded offences locally. The detailed breakdown below provides further insight into these statistics.

Crime Breakdown in Bethersden

In Bethersden, violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of criminal activity, accounting for 38.8% of all reports. Criminal damage and arson follow at 14.3%, while burglary and anti-social behaviour both stand at 9.2%. These figures indicate that while the village is generally quiet, personal offences and damage to property are the most frequent issues.

The property crime rate in Bethersden is 22.3 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the UK average of 32.3. Burglary specifically occurs at a rate of 5.3 per 1,000, making it a more significant concern here than in some neighbouring villages. Vehicle crime accounts for 7.1% of total offences. For homeowners, this breakdown suggests that while overall crime is low, securing the home against opportunistic burglary and protecting vehicles from theft should be primary considerations for maintaining personal security.

Crime Trends in Bethersden

Bethersden has experienced a notable 24.1% increase in crime over the past year. This upward trend is reflected in the monthly data for the Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 period, which shows several spikes in activity.

The year began with a high of 9.4 crimes per 1,000 people in December 2024, before dropping significantly to 1.8 in February 2025. However, crime rates rose again in the spring, remaining between 5.3 and 5.9 through June. After a quieter summer, another spike was recorded in November 2025, with the rate reaching 7.1. While the overall numbers are still low compared to urban areas, the volatility and the double-digit percentage increase year-over-year suggest that residents should stay informed about local safety developments and consider enhancing their personal security measures.

How To Keep Safe in Bethersden

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Bethersden, followed by criminal damage. Maintaining awareness and securing your property are key to staying safe.

1. Secure Your Perimeter: With criminal damage being a frequent issue, ensure gates are locked and fencing is in good repair to deter opportunistic vandalism.
2. Afternoon Vigilance: Burglary rates peak in the afternoon (29%). Ensure your home is fully secured even if you are only stepping out for a short period.
3. Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime is most common at night. Always park in well-lit areas and ensure no valuables are left on display inside the car.
4. Join Local Watch Groups: Engaging with community safety schemes can provide early warnings about suspicious activity in the village.
5. Install Motion Lighting: Use bright, motion-activated lights around entry points to eliminate dark spots that could be used by intruders or vandals.

Crime Timing in Bethersden

Crime in Bethersden follows specific temporal patterns. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the primary concern, making up 31% of incidents. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft (34%) and burglary (29%) both reach their daily peaks, likely targeting unoccupied homes.

In the evening (6pm-12am), burglary remains significant at 23%, but other crimes (including anti-social behaviour) account for over half of all activity. At night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes a major factor, representing 35% of recorded offences, while burglary remains high at 26%. This suggests that while daytime focus should be on general theft and burglary prevention, night-time security should specifically address both vehicle safety and home intrusion.

Regional Safety Comparison

When comparing Bethersden to its immediate neighbours, it sits in the middle of the safety spectrum for the Ashford region. It is slightly safer than High Halden, which has a crime rate of 59.3 per 1,000, but has more recorded activity than Shadoxhurst (40.9). Nearby areas like Chilmington Green and Pluckley Thorne reported no crimes during the same period, highlighting the very low-crime nature of the surrounding rural landscape. For those considering the area, Bethersden offers a tranquil environment that is statistically much safer than the larger urban centres in Kent, despite its recent increase in reported incidents.

Proactive Security for Bethersden Homeowners

With a property crime rate of 22.3 per 1,000 and burglary being a top-three crime type in Bethersden, residents should consider moving beyond traditional, reactive security. Standard CCTV systems only record footage of a crime as it happens, which often does little to prevent the initial intrusion.

The scOS AI-powered operating system provides a proactive alternative by identifying potential threats before they reach your home. By watching all cameras simultaneously, the AI can detect a person at your property boundary and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible alerts—to destroy the element of surprise. In a village setting like Bethersden, where burglaries often occur in the afternoon or late at night, having a system that actively deters criminals can be the difference between a prevented attempt and a successful break-in. Proactive protection ensures that your security is working to stop the crime, not just document it.