Bridge Crime Rate

Bridge is a highly secure residential area, with an excellent safety score of 87/100. Its overall crime rate is 52.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. However, the crime trend in Bridge has seen a substantial 113.4% increase year-over-year, indicating a sharp rise in local activity from a previously very low base for the population of 2,724. While the area remains exceptionally safe, particularly regarding burglary, understanding the local patterns of violence and vehicle crime can help residents maintain this high standard of security. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime categories, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to keep the community informed and secure.

In Bridge, violence and sexual offences are the most significant crime category, accounting for 44.1% of all reports, at a rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common concern at 14.7%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.2%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 19.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, criminal damage and arson is the most prominent, while vehicle crime accounts for 10.5% of total crime. 'Other theft' represents 8.4%, while burglary remains very low at 2.1%. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while interpersonal offences and social disturbances are the most frequent issues, the risk of property crime is substantial for a village. The relatively high percentage of vehicle crime and criminal damage suggests that opportunistic offences targeting property and cars are a key concern for the community.

The crime trend in Bridge has seen a substantial 113.4% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a fluctuating level of activity throughout the year, with a notable peak in May reaching a rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents.

Other active months included January (6.6), July (6.6), and June (5.1). The year began with a rate of 6.6 in January and ended with a rate of 3.7 in December. This overall upward trend, while starting from a previously very low base, suggests that the village is seeing more frequent criminal activity than in previous years. For residents, this means that while the area remains very safe compared to national averages, there is a need for increased vigilance. The fluctuating monthly figures indicate that crime in Bridge occurs in clusters rather than at a constant rate throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Bridge

The most common crime in Bridge is violence and sexual offences, followed by criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. Maintaining safety in the village involves a mix of personal awareness and proactive property security.

1. Focus on Night-time Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 48% of night-time incidents. Always park in well-lit, secure areas and ensure your vehicle is fully locked with no valuables inside.
2. Daytime Vigilance: Theft is most common during the morning and afternoon. Ensure that outbuildings, sheds, and vehicles are locked even when you are at home during the day.
3. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB being a top concern, ensuring your property has clear boundaries and motion-activated lighting can discourage loitering and opportunistic damage.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups is effective for identifying and reporting suspicious activity or repeat anti-social behaviour offenders.
5. Install Boundary Security: Use AI-powered cameras to create a secure perimeter around your home, deterring the criminal damage and arson that accounts for 14.7% of local crime.

Bridge exhibits clear crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 38% and 48% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the area is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard business hours when residents may be away or active on their properties.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and violence, become the most prominent, accounting for 62% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at a substantial 48% of all incidents. Burglary remains extremely low, consistent at 2-3% across all time periods. These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the late-night hours present the greatest risk for vehicle security. Residents should tailor their security habits to these cycles, focusing on theft during the day and vehicle security at night.

In the local regional context, Bridge offers a peaceful and secure alternative to the busier urban centres nearby. When compared to Littlebourne, which has a lower crime rate of 40.7 per 1,000, Bridge is slightly more active. Other nearby areas like Bishopsbourne, Kingston, and Lower Hardres report zero crimes, highlighting the difference between the more populated urban settlements and their very quiet rural surroundings. For those looking for a safe, residential environment within the Canterbury district, Bridge provides a safety profile that is among the best in the region, offering a quiet and secure character despite the recent increase in reported incidents.

With a property crime rate of 19.1 per 1,000 residents and a significant increasing trend of 113.4%, property security in Bridge is an important consideration. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. In a quiet residential setting, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS (Security Operating System) uses advanced AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, identifying threats at the property boundary. In Bridge, where vehicle crime peaks at a substantial 48% during the night, scOS's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can stop a criminal in their tracks. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the area's rising property crime figures.