Tenterden Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Tenterden's crime profile for January 2025 reveals a significant deviation from the UK average, with a rate of 5.4 crimes per 1,000 residents — 23.9% below the national figure of 7.1. This positions the area as safer than the broader UK context, though the crime mix reflects local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of all reported crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (20.5%) and anti-social behaviour (15.4%). The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall — may contribute to the observed patterns, particularly the lower incidence of shoplifting (now 2.6% of total crimes) compared to the UK average. While violent crime rates fell sharply by 38.1% from December, the increase in criminal damage and arson (116% above UK average) suggests persistent challenges in addressing property-related offences. The area's rural character, combined with its proximity to Ashford, may influence both the low overall crime rate and the disproportionate prevalence of certain categories. The absence of significant spikes in vehicle crime or theft from the person aligns with the lower population density and less concentrated commercial activity typical of smaller built-up areas. This snapshot illustrates how local geography and seasonal rhythms interact with national crime trends to shape Tenterden's unique profile.

January 2025 saw notable shifts in Tenterden's crime profile, with burglary and vehicle crime both doubling from December's figures — a 100% increase for each. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 50%, though this remains 18% below the UK average. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 85.7%, likely reflecting post-holiday retail quietness. The most striking divergence from national norms is criminal damage and arson, which occurred at 1.1 per 1,000 residents — 116% above the UK average of 0.5. This anomaly may be linked to the area's rural infrastructure, where isolated properties could be more vulnerable to such incidents. Meanwhile, public order offences and vehicle crime both exceeded UK averages by 30% and 46% respectively, influenced by the same factors driving anti-social behaviour. For residents, the sharp drop in shoplifting — from seven incidents in December to just one in January — suggests a seasonal lull in retail crime, though the increase in vehicle crime highlights a new concern for local car owners. These contrasts underscore the need for targeted policing strategies that address both the area's unique vulnerabilities and its relative success in curbing other crime types.

Tenterden's crime rate in January 2025 (5.4 per 1,000) represents a 16.9% decrease from December's 6.5 per 1,000, marking a downward trend over the past month. Translating this into daily terms, the area experienced roughly one crime per day in January — a figure that, while low, remains a local benchmark with no direct UK comparison available. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 185 residents reported a crime, a ratio that contextualises the impact of these incidents within the community. With a population of 7,226, this monthly exposure rate highlights the relatively sparse nature of crime in Tenterden compared to larger urban centres. The 23.9% gap between Tenterden's rate and the UK average (7.1 per 1,000) is particularly pronounced given the area's modest size, suggesting effective local crime prevention measures or demographic factors that contribute to lower overall rates. However, the elevated levels of criminal damage and arson — 116% above the UK average — indicate that certain vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. This juxtaposition of overall safety and specific risk factors offers a nuanced picture of Tenterden's crime environment, one that requires balanced analysis to inform both community awareness and policing priorities.