Staplehurst Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Staplehurst's crime rate for January 2026 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance, while not without challenges, reflects a broader pattern of lower-than-average crime levels in the built-up area within Maidstone. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences (14 incidents, 36.8% of total), which remains 16% below the UK average for this category. This may be partly explained by the area's seasonal dynamics—January's post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter days, factors that may limit opportunities for certain crimes. However, the data also reveals a concerning spike in drug-related offences, which rose to four incidents (0.6 per 1,000) from zero in December. This category is now 114% above the UK average, a figure that warrants attention given the potential links to local drug markets or increased illicit activity during colder months. Shoplifting remained a persistent issue, with six incidents (0.9 per 1,000) and a 58% gap above the UK average, linked to Staplehurst's retail environment. The area's performance in other categories—such as anti-social behaviour (down 62.5% from December) and criminal damage (38% below UK average)—suggests a combination of local policing, community engagement, and environmental factors. These patterns, while not fully explained by the data alone, align with the seasonal context of January as a period of transition following the Christmas holidays, with reduced outdoor activity and potential shifts in crime focus.

January 2026 saw a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from zero to four incidents. This spike, while statistically significant, remains below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 62.5%, dropping from eight to three incidents—a shift that may reflect seasonal changes or targeted local initiatives. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category (36.8% of total crimes), decreased by 12.5% compared to December, suggesting a potential reduction in tensions during the post-holiday period. The area's shoplifting rate (0.9 per 1,000) is 58% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may relate to Staplehurst's retail presence or footfall patterns. Residents may find the daily crime figure of one incident per day useful for contextualising local safety, though this rate is lower than the UK average of 1.3 per day.

Staplehurst's crime rate remained stable in January 2026 compared to December, maintaining the same 5.7 per 1,000 residents figure. This consistency suggests no significant short-term shifts in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that may feel more tangible for residents than aggregated monthly rates. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 177 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents within the community. This monthly exposure rate, while low compared to national averages, highlights the importance of maintaining local policing efforts. The population context—Staplehurst's 6,718 residents—means that crime trends here are influenced by both the size of the community and its specific characteristics, such as proximity to Maidstone and potential commuter patterns. These factors may contribute to the balance between property and violent crime seen in the data.