Bridge Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Bridge

Bridge, a built-up area within Canterbury, boasts a very low overall crime rate of 46.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is significantly below the national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a highly safe environment. The area achieves an impressive safety score of 88 out of 100, well above the UK average of 78. However, recent trends show that Bridge's crime rate has been increasing significantly, with a 49.4% rise year-over-year. This introduction highlights Bridge's strong safety profile despite a recent upward trend, providing context for a detailed analysis of its crime data.

Crime Type Analysis in Bridge

In Bridge, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for a substantial 43.3% of all incidents, or 20.2 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common, representing 14.2% of crimes at a rate of 6.6 per 1,000. Vehicle crime follows closely, making up 12.6% of the total with 5.9 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, other theft, and robbery, collectively stands at a low 19.1 per 1,000 residents. This is notably below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. While property crime is low, the significant proportion of vehicle crime and criminal damage suggests that residents should be vigilant about securing their vehicles and premises.

Crime Trends in Bridge

Bridge has experienced a significant increasing crime trend over the last year, with a substantial 49.4% rise in overall crime compared to the previous 12-month period. Reviewing the monthly trend data shows notable fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was low in late 2024, at 1.5 in October and November, and 1.8 in December. However, it saw a sharp increase to 6.6 in January 2025 and peaked at 8.4 in May 2025, before settling at 1.8 in September 2025. This significant year-over-year increase, despite its overall low rate, indicates a shifting crime landscape that residents should be aware of.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Bridge

Crime in Bridge exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. During the Morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant concern (43%), accompanied by notable vehicle crime (23%) and some burglary (4%), reflecting early daily activity. The Afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain high (53%) and some burglary (8%), aligning with peak shopping hours and unattended homes. In the Evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes become dominant (50%), with vehicle crime (25%) and theft (19%) still present. Finally, Night (12am-6am) is characterised by exceptionally high vehicle crime (54%) and 'other' crimes (31%), typically targeting properties under the cover of darkness.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Built-Up Areas

Comparing Bridge's crime rate of 46.6 per 1,000 residents with its immediate neighbouring built-up areas provides valuable local context. Areas such as Bishopsbourne, Lower Hardres and Street End, Kingston (Canterbury), and Littlebourne are generally comparable in size and rural character. Bridge's crime rate is often similar to or slightly higher than these very low-crime areas, particularly due to its recent increasing trend. This comparison helps residents understand Bridge's position within the local crime landscape, highlighting its generally peaceful environment but also its recent upward shift in crime.

Protecting Your Property in Bridge

Despite Bridge's commendably low property crime rate of 19.1 per 1,000 residents, the recent significant increase in overall crime warrants a proactive approach to home security. Relying on traditional security methods that merely record a crime after it has occurred offers limited protection.

For truly robust protection, consider advanced, AI-powered home security systems like scOS. These systems proactively deter crime by detecting potential threats at your property's boundary, preventing incidents before they escalate. Unlike reactive solutions, scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence to provide comprehensive, intelligent surveillance, learning your property's routines to minimise false alerts. The visible presence of such professional-grade deterrence, combined with features like autonomous response that can engage intruders, can make a potential criminal decide to move on within seconds. Investing in proactive security ensures peace of mind and enhanced safety, especially given the area's recent crime trend.