Otford and Kemsing Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Vehicle crime dominated the crime profile in Otford and Kemsing during October 2024, accounting for 26.1% of all reported incidents. With six cases recorded, this category had a rate of 0.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 70% above the UK average for vehicle crime. This suggests a particular vulnerability in the area, possibly linked to the presence of parked vehicles in residential or commercial zones. The overall crime rate for the month was 3.1 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a gap of 61.7%. This stark contrast highlights Otford and Kemsing's position as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK. The second most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, with five incidents (0.7 per 1,000), a figure 74% below the UK average. This may reflect the area's relatively low levels of public disorder or effective community policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour, at four incidents (0.5 per 1,000), was the third most reported category, though still 61% below the UK average. Seasonal factors, such as the transition to darker evenings and the approach of Halloween, may have influenced the crime mix, with potential increases in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting during the month. The data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with lower crime rates typically observed in October compared to the peak months of summer and early autumn. This could be due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas or the influence of local events that draw attention away from potential crime hotspots.

October 2024 saw a sharp increase in anti-social behaviour, with incidents rising by 300% compared to the previous month, moving from one to four reported cases. This surge may be linked to the transition into darker evenings and the approach of Halloween, which can lead to increased community activity and potential disruptions. Meanwhile, shoplifting and bicycle theft both doubled, with two incidents each, marking a significant shift in the crime mix. These increases contrast with notable declines in burglary, which fell by 80% (from five to one), and violence and sexual offences, which dropped by 50% (from 10 to five). The latter decrease may reflect the impact of targeted interventions or seasonal factors, such as the end of the academic term reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. Vehicle crime, at six incidents, remained the dominant category, with a rate 70% above the UK average, highlighting a specific vulnerability in the area's crime profile.

Otford and Kemsing's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 25.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.1 per 1,000. This decline suggests a continued trend of lower reported crime in the area compared to earlier in the year. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that aligns with the low overall crime rate. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 328 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area within Sevenoaks. This figure, while local-specific, underscores the area's position as one of the safer parts of the UK. The population context further reinforces this, as the 7,545 residents of Otford and Kemsing face a significantly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the national average. These statistics illustrate an area where crime remains a rare occurrence, even during periods of seasonal change.