Yalding Crime Rate

Yalding is a safe and well-regarded residential village with an overall crime rate of 69.4 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, contributing to its high safety score of 84/100 (national average is 79). However, it is important to note that Yalding has experienced a 22.7% increase in recorded crime year-over-year. While the area remains statistically safe, this rising trend warrants attention from residents. As a key village in Kent with its own local amenities, the crime profile is influenced by both residential and social activity. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and temporal patterns from January to December 2025, offering homeowners and prospective residents a clear picture of the local safety environment in Yalding.

In Yalding, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 37.0% of all reports (25.7 per 1,000). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 25.9% and criminal damage and arson at 13.0%. These three categories represent the majority of local police activity. Property crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, has an overall rate of 19.9 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, 'other theft' is the most common at 9.3%, followed by vehicle crime at 5.6% and burglary at 0.9%. For residents, the data suggests that while the area is generally safe, property protection should focus on preventing anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft, particularly given the high percentage of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the top crime types.

Yalding has seen a 22.7% increase in total recorded crime year-over-year. This rising trend is a notable shift for the village. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 5.1 per 1,000 in January, but climbed to a peak of 12.9 in July. Another high point was recorded in February and August at 9.0. The lowest rate was seen in April at 3.2. The year ended with a rate of 4.5 in December. These monthly fluctuations show a typical seasonal pattern, but the overall upward trend suggests that residents should be more aware of local safety and security than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Yalding

The most common crime in Yalding is violence and sexual offences. While the overall risk is lower than in many urban areas, 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 anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, property owners should take steps to secure their boundaries. Ensure gates are locked and consider installing motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your home to eliminate dark spots. For vehicle safety, always double-check that your car is locked and never leave valuables, bags, or electronics in plain sight. Opportunistic thieves often target vehicles that appear to have easy-to-grab items. 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 Yalding remains a safe place to live.

Crime in Yalding follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted toward theft-related offences, accounting for 50% and 58% of crimes respectively. This coincides with the village's peak daytime activity. As the day moves into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts toward 'other' offences, which include anti-social behaviour and public order issues, making up 59% of evening reports. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a significant rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for a substantial 39% of all incidents during these hours. Burglary risk is also most prominent in the night (5%) and afternoon (4%). 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, Yalding is safer than the nearby urban centre of Maidstone, which has a much higher crime rate of 108.5 per 1,000. However, it is less secure than neighbouring Wateringbury (50.7). Yalding offers a balanced middle-ground for the region—providing more amenities than the smallest villages but maintaining a much quieter and safer atmosphere than the main town. This makes it a popular choice for families seeking a secure village lifestyle. This comparison highlights Yalding's reputation as a safe and stable residential option.

In Yalding, the property crime rate of 19.9 per 1,000 and the high percentage of anti-social behaviour (25.9% of total crime) suggest that home security is an important consideration for residents. Traditional security systems like basic CCTV or DIY alarms are reactive; they only alert you after a window has been broken or a door forced. For residents seeking a more robust solution, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered operating system that transforms how you protect your home. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify potential intruders before they even reach your house. The system’s autonomous responses—such as activating lighting and audible warnings—are designed to deter intruders instantly. This proactive approach is far more effective than simply recording a crime, as it stops the incident before it can cause damage or entry. For Yalding homeowners, scOS provides the technology to ensure your home remains a safe sanctuary, preventing crime before it happens and giving you genuine peace of mind.