Edenbridge Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Edenbridge's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a nuanced interplay between property and violent crime, with property offences slightly edging ahead (19 incidents) despite a 14.7% overall reduction compared to the UK average. The area's crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents aligns with the seasonal rhythm of a built-up area within Sevenoaks, where January typically sees subdued retail activity and a shift in crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.8% of total incidents, a rate (2.0 per 1,000) that is 20% below the UK average—a figure that may reflect the area's relatively low population density and community-focused policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour (8 incidents) and other theft (7 incidents) emerged as the second and third most common crime types, though both showed notable deviations from national trends: anti-social behaviour was 8% above the UK average, while other theft was 96% above. This contrast with the 30% below-average rate for shoplifting (3 incidents) underscores the influence of local factors, such as the post-holiday period and reduced foot traffic in retail zones. The seasonal context of January—a time of shorter days and limited outdoor activity—likely contributes to the lower incidence of crimes typically associated with high footfall, such as theft from the person or vehicle-related offences. However, the 16.7% increase in criminal damage and arson (7 incidents) suggests that other factors, such as unseasonal weather events or targeted vandalism, may have played a role. Overall, the data illustrates a relatively safe environment for Edenbridge residents, with the area's crime rate remaining well below the national average, though specific categories highlight areas requiring further attention.

The month-on-month shifts in January 2026 reveal a stark contrast between rising and falling crime categories. Vehicle crime surged by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents), an anomaly that may reflect seasonal factors such as increased car usage during colder weather or targeted thefts in residential areas. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 40% (from 5 to 3 incidents), consistent with January's reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted: while property crimes (19 incidents) remained slightly ahead of violent crimes (16 incidents), the violent crime rate (2.0 per 1,000) was 20% below the UK average, a figure that contrasts with the 88% above-average rate for criminal damage and arson (0.9 per 1,000). This divergence highlights the complexity of local crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour (8 incidents) and other theft (7 incidents) both showing significant deviations from national benchmarks. For residents, the 40% decline in shoplifting offers a tangible indicator of reduced risk during the post-holiday lull.

Edenbridge's crime rate in January 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents) marks a 19.3% decline from the previous month's 7.2 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with typical January patterns in built-up areas, where post-holiday retail activity wanes and daylight hours shorten, potentially limiting opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day over the 31-day period—a figure that, while seemingly low, reflects the specific dynamics of a small built-up area with limited commercial density. When scaled to the population of 7,893 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 172 residents, a ratio that contextualises the risk in human terms. This rate remains 14.7% below the UK average, underscoring the area's relative safety compared to national trends, though local factors such as community policing or demographic composition may contribute to this divergence.