Otford and Kemsing Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 7,545 residents, the 28 crimes reported in April 2025 equate to a crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 people — a figure 51.9% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This built-up area within Sevenoaks, likely characterised by a mix of residential and retail spaces, saw violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 28.6% of all incidents. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 21.4%, while burglary made up 10.7% of the total. The seasonal context of April — marked by Easter, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity — may partly explain patterns such as the relatively high share of violence and sexual offences, which could reflect heightened social interactions in public spaces. Conversely, the lower-than-average rates for shoplifting and vehicle crime suggest the area’s quieter retail and parking environments may reduce opportunities for such crimes. The overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, consistent with the area’s probable lower population density and community-focused infrastructure compared to larger urban centres. This data illustrates a crime profile shaped by local demographics and seasonal rhythms, with no single factor driving the pattern but rather a combination of environmental and social factors.

April 2025 saw notable shifts in crime trends compared to March. Drug-related offences surged by 100% (from 0 to 2 incidents), while other crime also increased by 100% (from 0 to 1). These rises, though small in absolute terms, highlight potential emerging issues warranting further attention. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 87.5% (from 8 to 1), and other theft fell by 66.7% (from 6 to 2), suggesting improved security measures or seasonal factors reducing opportunities for these crimes. The crime mix also shifted: violent crimes decreased by 20% (from 10 to 8), while burglary increased by 50% (from 2 to 3), indicating a slight shift towards property crimes. Burglary in Otford and Kemsing at 0.4 per 1,000 is 48% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, possibly reflecting the area’s built-up nature and proximity to residential properties. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour at 0.8 per 1,000 is 40% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000, potentially linked to local community engagement initiatives or lower population density reducing incidents. For residents, the 1-in-269 monthly exposure figure — meaning one reported crime occurred for every 269 residents over the month — provides a tangible context for understanding the low but present risk level.

The crime rate in April 2025 (3.7 per 1,000) represents a 28.2% decrease from March’s rate of 5.2 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 1 crime per day, a figure that may seem low but is contextualised by the small population size. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 269 residents — a ratio that, while statistically low, underscores the relative safety of the area compared to larger urban centres. With a population of 7,545, the 28 crimes reported in April equate to roughly 0.37 crimes per resident, a rate significantly below the UK average. This suggests that the built-up area’s infrastructure, possibly including community policing efforts or lower socioeconomic disparities, contributes to its crime profile. The daily crime count, while small, is a useful metric for residents to gauge local safety, especially when compared to national averages. The area’s population size further contextualises these figures: in a larger town, even a similar absolute number of crimes would translate to a higher rate. This comparison highlights the importance of scaling crime statistics to local demographics, ensuring that residents can interpret data in ways relevant to their specific environment.