Kingston upon Thames Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 172,692, Kingston upon Thames recorded 1,173 crimes in October 2024 — a rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents, 16% below the UK average of 8.1. This overall figure, while relatively low, masks a nuanced distribution across crime types. Violence and sexual offences (271 incidents, 23.1% of total) emerged as the most common category, yet this rate (1.6 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average, reflecting the borough’s generally safe environment. Anti-social behaviour (241 cases, 20.6%) and shoplifting (123 incidents, 10.5%) followed, with the latter’s rate (0.7 per 1,000) slightly below the UK average. Seasonal factors likely influenced these patterns: darker evenings in October, coinciding with the clocks going back, may have contributed to increased anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Conversely, the decline in bicycle theft (32 incidents, 0.2 per 1,000) — 150% above the UK average — suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal changes in cycling activity could have mitigated this issue. The borough’s lower-than-average rates for violent crime and property theft align with its status as a commuter town, where residential areas are interspersed with retail and transport hubs. However, the sharp rise in possession of weapons (8 incidents, 0.1 per 1,000) — 43% above the UK average — signals a potential concern that warrants closer monitoring. These trends illustrate how Kingston’s crime profile, shaped by its geography and demographics, differs from the national picture while still reflecting broader seasonal and environmental influences.

October 2024 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 166.7% (3 to 8 incidents) — a jump that may reflect heightened police presence during seasonal transitions or increased public awareness of weapon-related offenses. Robbery also surged by 122.2% (9 to 20 cases), suggesting potential vulnerabilities in certain high-traffic areas. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 31.9% (47 to 32), possibly linked to seasonal changes in cycling activity or the effectiveness of local anti-theft campaigns. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 9.7% (267 to 241), a trend consistent with the end of the university term and reduced public gatherings. The borough’s violence and sexual offences rate (1.6 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average, while theft from the person (0.3 per 1,000) is 50% above, illustrating stark contrasts in crime dynamics. These variations reflect the interplay between Kingston’s commuter demographics and localized hotspots, such as the higher incidence of bicycle theft in areas with dense cycling infrastructure.

Kingston upon Thames maintained a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in October 2024, identical to September’s figure, indicating no immediate shift in overall crime trends. This stability contrasts with the UK average of 8.1, placing the borough 16% below the national benchmark. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 38 crimes per day — a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 147 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate offers a tangible sense of risk: if distributed evenly, each resident would statistically encounter a crime once every 147 people. With a population of 172,692, this places Kingston among the safer areas in the UK. The borough’s overall safety profile is underpinned by its lower-than-average rates for violent crime and property theft, which align with its status as a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail zones. However, the daily crime count underscores that while the area is relatively secure, the frequency of incidents remains a consideration for residents and visitors alike.