Maidstone Crime Rate

About Maidstone Crime Statistics

Maidstone, with a population of 187,767, records an overall crime rate of 89.1 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is notably lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The area's safety score stands at 79 out of 100, slightly above the UK average of 78. Furthermore, Maidstone has experienced a positive trend, with a 7.2% decrease in overall crime year-over-year. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed examination of crime types and trends within the local authority district.

About Maidstone

Maidstone, as a significant market town and the county town of Kent, exhibits characteristics typical of a bustling urban and suburban environment. Its role as a commercial and administrative hub, coupled with major transport links such as the M20 motorway and railway lines, contributes to both its vibrancy and potential for certain crime patterns. The town centre itself, with various retail outlets, leisure facilities, and a growing nightlife, can see higher instances of anti-social behaviour and theft. The diverse population, including commuters and visitors, adds to the dynamic nature of the area. Economic factors, while generally stable, can also play a role in crime statistics, particularly in areas with varied socio-economic profiles. Understanding these characteristics helps in interpreting the crime data and the overall safety score for Maidstone.

Maidstone Crime Breakdown

An analysis of Maidstone's crime breakdown reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most prevalent category, accounting for 6,242 crimes, or 37.3% of the total. This translates to a rate of 33.2 per 1,000 people. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 2,823 incidents (16.9% of total), at a rate of 15.0 per 1,000. Criminal damage and arson rank third, with 1,604 reported crimes, representing 9.6% of the total and a rate of 8.5 per 1,000.

Considering property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, Maidstone records a rate of 29.7 per 1,000 people per year. This is below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, burglary accounts for 410 crimes (2.2 per 1,000), vehicle crime for 666 crimes (3.5 per 1,000), and other theft for 1,176 crimes (6.3 per 1,000). Shoplifting adds 1,458 crimes (7.8 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson, while not purely property theft, directly impacts property with 1,604 incidents. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures highlights areas where vigilance and security measures, particularly against property damage and various forms of theft, are most relevant.

Crime Trends in Maidstone

Maidstone has experienced a positive trend in its crime statistics, with an overall decrease of 7.2% year-over-year. This indicates a general improvement in safety over the past twelve months compared to the previous period. Examining the monthly trend data, the crime rate per 1,000 fluctuated throughout the year. Starting at 7.3 in October 2024, it saw a slight dip to 7.0 in December 2024 before rising to a peak of 8.9 in July 2025. However, the subsequent months show a decline, reaching 6.7 in September 2025, which is the lowest rate within the reported period. This pattern suggests seasonal variations and potentially effective local interventions, contributing to the overall downward trend. For residents, this decreasing trend is reassuring, indicating that efforts to reduce crime in Maidstone are yielding positive results.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Maidstone to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional safety context emerges. Maidstone's overall crime rate of 89.1 per 1,000 is lower than the UK average, and its safety score of 79/100 is favourable. For instance, areas like Swale, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Gravesham, and Medway all offer different safety profiles. While specific data for these areas isn't provided here, Maidstone's position relative to the UK average suggests it holds a moderately safe standing within the wider Kent region. Residents considering moving within the area or those interested in local comparisons can use Maidstone's statistics as a benchmark, understanding that safety levels can vary even in adjacent local authorities due to differing demographics, urbanisation, and local initiatives.

Protecting Your Home in Maidstone

Understanding Maidstone's crime statistics, particularly its property crime rate of 29.7 per 1,000, underscores the importance of robust home security. While traditional security measures like CCTV cameras can record incidents, they often provide footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. For those seeking genuine peace of mind and proactive protection, considering advanced solutions is key. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers a different approach by preventing crime before it happens. Instead of merely notifying you after an intrusion, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, utilising multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously. Features like DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning allow it to recognise routines and alert only on real threats. This proactive stance, with lights activating and speakers engaging to destroy the element of surprise, is designed to make potential burglars move on within that critical 60-second decision window, offering a professional-grade deterrent that goes beyond reactive recording.