Rural Ashford Crime Rate

Rural Ashford is one of the safest regions in the district, boasting an overall crime rate of 50.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to an impressive safety score of 88/100. The area has also seen a positive trend in community safety, with a 5.9% decrease in total crime year-over-year. For the 19,665 residents living in the various villages and countryside surrounding the main town, these statistics reflect a high level of security and a peaceful residential environment. The following sections provide a deeper look into the specific crime types and patterns found across the Rural Ashford area.

In Rural Ashford, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type, accounting for 404 incidents or 40.9% of the total. This is followed by 'other theft' at 118 cases (11.9%) and anti-social behaviour at 103 cases (10.4%). These statistics are typical for rural areas where low overall crime volumes can make specific categories appear more dominant.

Property crime in Rural Ashford is notably lower than in urban centres, with a rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents. This includes 54 burglaries (5.5% of total crime) and 37 vehicle crimes (3.7%). While the rates are low, the rural nature of the area can make properties more isolated, potentially increasing the time available for a criminal to act undisturbed. Homeowners in these areas often face different challenges, such as the theft of outbuilding equipment or high-value rural assets, which are captured under the property crime umbrella. Ensuring that these more remote properties are secured is vital for maintaining the area's high safety standards.

Rural Ashford has seen a healthy 5.9% decrease in crime year-over-year. Monthly data shows the crime rate is consistently low, ranging from a minimum of 2.9 per 1,000 in February and September to a peak of 5.1 in July. The year ended with a rate of 4.8 in November. The consistency of these low figures, even during the summer peak, suggests that Rural Ashford is a stable and secure area. The slight increase towards the end of the year (rising from 2.9 in September to 4.8 in November) is a common seasonal trend as the darker evenings can sometimes lead to a small rise in opportunistic property crime. Overall, the area remains exceptionally safe.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Ashford

While Rural Ashford is very safe, violence and sexual offences remain the most reported category. In a rural context, this often requires a focus on personal safety and property vigilance.

1. Rural Property Security: Ensure that gates and outbuildings are secured with high-quality locks. Rural theft often targets machinery and tools, so keep these out of sight.
2. Community Watch: Participate in local village watch schemes. In rural areas, neighbours looking out for one another is one of the most effective ways to deter suspicious activity.
3. Lighting is Key: Install motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home. With burglary risk peaking at night (24% of reports), a well-lit boundary is a major deterrent.
4. Personal Safety when Walking: If walking between villages at night, carry a torch and wear reflective clothing. Stick to known paths and let someone know your expected arrival time.
5. Report Suspicious Vehicles: In quiet rural areas, unfamiliar vehicles loitering can be a precursor to theft. Report any suspicious activity to the non-emergency police line.

In Rural Ashford, crime follows a clear temporal shift. During the daylight hours, theft is the predominant concern, making up 54% of morning crimes and 57% of afternoon crimes. This likely involves theft from vehicles or outdoor property while residents are away. As night falls, the risk profile changes significantly. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime rises to 26% of all incidents, and burglary peaks at 24%. This indicates that while daytime crime is opportunistic and focused on theft, night-time crime is more targeted towards residential properties and cars. Understanding these windows of risk allows residents to better secure their homes during the most vulnerable periods.

Rural Ashford stands out as a particularly safe haven when compared to the broader region. Its crime rate of 50.2 per 1,000 is roughly half that of the main Ashford (Ashford) urban area (98.6). It is also considerably more secure than Tenterden (73.9) and Charing (65.2). For those looking for the highest levels of safety in the district, Rural Ashford offers a profile similar to other low-crime rural settlements in Kent, providing a stark contrast to the busier transport and commercial hubs nearby. This makes it an ideal location for those prioritising a low-crime environment.

In Rural Ashford, where properties can be more isolated and the property crime rate sits at 19.8 per 1,000, traditional security measures often fall short. A standard alarm or a basic recording camera might notify you of a problem, but in a rural setting, the distance from neighbours or police can mean help is not immediate. This is where proactive AI protection becomes essential.

The scOS platform is uniquely suited to rural properties. It uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor large boundaries and outbuildings simultaneously. Because scOS is designed to prevent crime, it detects potential threats at the perimeter and can trigger autonomous responses—like activating floodlights or audible warnings—before a break-in even occurs. For rural homeowners, the ability to stop a threat at the property line is far more valuable than simply having footage of a theft. By using AI to learn your daily routines and only alerting you to genuine threats, scOS provides professional-grade security that ensures your home and assets remain protected, even in the most remote locations.