Bearsted Crime Rate

Bearsted is an exceptionally safe residential village with an overall crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, reflecting the area's status as one of the most secure settlements in Kent. Bearsted boasts an impressive safety score of 92/100, which is far above the national average of 79. Furthermore, the area is seeing a positive trend in safety, with total recorded crime decreasing by 5.8% year-over-year. This combination of a very low crime rate and a downward trajectory makes Bearsted a highly desirable location for families and those seeking a peaceful, low-crime environment. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and temporal patterns from January to December 2025.

In Bearsted, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 42.2% of all reports (13.9 per 1,000). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.3% and 'other theft' at 10.2%. These figures show that personal and social-related offences are the primary issues in the area. Property crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, has an overall rate of 11.0 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, 'other theft' is the most common, followed by vehicle crime at 8.4% and burglary at 4.4%. Shoplifting accounts for 3.6% of total crime. For residents, the data indicates that Bearsted is exceptionally safe, with property protection needing to focus mainly on preventing opportunistic theft and vehicle-related offences, which are the most prominent property issues.

Bearsted is seeing a positive downward trend in criminal activity, with a 5.8% reduction in total recorded crimes year-over-year. This decrease further solidifies the village's reputation as a safe community. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 3.8 per 1,000 in January, followed by several months of very low activity, reaching a low of 1.8 in June and September. There was a mid-summer peak in August at 4.1, which was the highest point of the year. The year ended with a rate of 3.8 in December. These fluctuations show a very stable and low-crime environment, with the overall trend continuing to improve.

How To Keep Safe in Bearsted

The most common crime in Bearsted is violence and sexual offences. While the overall risk is very low, it is always wise to practice general situational awareness. When walking through the village at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through less populated paths or park areas. If you are out late, consider letting someone know when you expect to be home or using a personal safety app.

Given the rate of vehicle crime, which is one of the more frequent property offences in Bearsted, car owners should be particularly vigilant. Always ensure your vehicle is locked, even when parked in a driveway, and never leave valuables, bags, or electronics in plain sight. Opportunistic thieves often target cars that appear to have easy-to-grab items. For property owners, the rate of anti-social behaviour suggests that clear property boundaries and motion-activated lighting are effective deterrents. Finally, staying active in local community groups or social media safety forums can help you stay informed about any recent spikes in activity or suspicious behaviour in the village, ensuring that Bearsted remains one of the safest places to live.

Crime in Bearsted follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted toward theft-related offences, accounting for 44% and 51% of crimes respectively. This coincides with the village's daytime activity. As the day moves into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts toward 'other' offences, which include anti-social behaviour, making up 35% of evening reports. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a significant rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for a substantial 55% of all incidents during these hours. Burglary risk is also most prominent in the afternoon (20%) and at night or evening (18% each). These trends suggest that while daytime is busier for theft, the night-time hours present a very high specific risk for vehicle owners, and afternoon is a key time for residential property security.

In the local context, Bearsted is one of the safest options available. It is significantly more secure than the nearby urban centre of Maidstone, which has a much higher crime rate of 108.5 per 1,000, and is also safer than Coxheath (68.3) and Langley Heath (67.5). While some neighbouring hamlets like Detling and Langley report even lower rates, Bearsted offers a premier residential experience with a very high level of safety compared to the wider region. This makes it a top choice for those who want to be near the amenities of Maidstone while living in a much quieter and more secure village setting.

In Bearsted, the property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 is one of the lowest in the region, but the presence of vehicle crime (8.4% of total crime) and burglary suggests that home security remains important. In a safe community like Bearsted, the goal is often to maintain that high level of security by deterring opportunistic threats. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record a crime after it has happened. For Bearsted residents who want to proactively defend their homes, scOS offers an AI-powered operating system that transforms security. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify potential intruders before they reach your house. The system’s autonomous responses—such as activating lighting and audio warnings—are designed to deter intruders instantly, often causing them to move on before any damage is done. This proactive approach is far more effective than simply recording a crime, as it prevents the incident entirely. For Bearsted homeowners, scOS provides the technology to ensure your home remains as safe as the village itself, preventing crime before it happens and offering peace of mind.