Otford and Kemsing Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, Otford and Kemsing recorded 28 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—50.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure, for an area of 7,545 residents, highlights the area’s relative safety, though specific crime types reveal nuanced patterns. Property crimes dominated, making up 53.6% of all incidents, with 15 cases recorded. Violent crimes, at 6 incidents, accounted for 21.4% of the total. The seasonal context of April—Easter and springtime activity—likely contributes to the mix of offences, as increased outdoor engagement may influence both property-related and public order incidents. Criminal damage and arson, the most common category, rose sharply, with 7 cases reported. This rate of 0.9 per 1,000 is 48% above the UK average, suggesting localized factors such as community-specific vulnerabilities or environmental conditions. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 33.3%, aligning with a UK average that is 69% lower, potentially reflecting community initiatives or seasonal trends. The area’s low overall crime rate contrasts with higher-than-average rates in specific categories, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Anti-social behaviour, at 4 incidents, was 58% below the UK average, indicating effective local management. Vehicle crime, though doubling to 2 cases, remained 33% below the UK rate, due to lower traffic density or effective policing. The interplay of these figures reflects the area’s character—a small, suburban or rural built-up area within Sevenoaks—where community cohesion and seasonal rhythms shape crime dynamics.

April 2023 saw a stark increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 7 incidents—a 133.3% surge. This category’s rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents is 48% above the UK average, suggesting localized vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences dropped by 33.3%, from 9 to 6, aligning with a UK average that is 69% lower. The shift in crime mix highlights a move from violent offences to property-related issues, with property crimes accounting for 53.6% of all incidents. This balance contrasts with the UK profile, where property crimes typically make up a smaller share. Vehicle crime doubled to 2 incidents, though it remains below the UK average. These changes reflect a combination of seasonal factors—Easter and spring activity may have influenced property-focused crimes, while reduced violent incidents could indicate community or environmental safeguards. Residents may find the rise in criminal damage and arson particularly relevant, as it signals a need for vigilance in public spaces.

For April 2023, Otford and Kemsing recorded 28 total crimes, a 9.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This brings the monthly crime rate to 3.7 per 1,000, which translates to roughly one reported crime per day across the area’s 7,545 residents. Over the course of the month, this equates to one crime occurring for every 269 residents. When scaled to the local population, the daily figure of one crime per day provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur. The area’s crime rate remains significantly below the UK average, but the breakdown shows notable disparities in specific categories. For instance, criminal damage and arson incidents rose sharply, while violence and sexual offences fell. These shifts suggest seasonal or localized factors may be influencing patterns, though further data would be needed to confirm. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the overall low rate, certain crime types remain represented compared to the UK average, indicating areas for targeted attention.