Otford and Kemsing Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Otford and Kemsing's crime profile in December 2025 reveals a striking outlier in anti-social behaviour, which occurred at a rate 18% above the UK average despite the area's overall crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000—58.6% below the national figure. This divergence suggests a unique local dynamic, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 36.4% of all crimes, followed by violence and sexual offences (18.2%) and burglary (13.6%). The built-up nature of the area within Sevenoaks may contribute to higher anti-social incidents, potentially linked to its proximity to commuter routes and retail hubs. Seasonal factors, including Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and empty homes during the holiday season, likely influenced the crime mix. While property crimes dominated (9 out of 22 total incidents), violent crimes fell sharply compared to previous months, due to reduced public spaces and community events. The low overall rate, consistent with the area's character as a relatively low-density commuter suburb, contrasts with higher-than-average anti-social behaviour, which may reflect local challenges in managing public order despite the broader safety context.

December saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with burglary rising 200% from one to three incidents. This increase, consistent with seasonal trends of empty homes over the holidays, contrasts with a 71.4% drop in violence and sexual offences, likely linked to reduced public gatherings. Anti-social behaviour remained the most common category, accounting for 36.4% of all crimes, a rate 18% higher than the UK average. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell 66.7% to one incident, potentially reflecting lower foot traffic during the festive period. The area's burglary rate of 0.4 per 1,000 is 43% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be explained by the built-up nature of the area and its proximity to Sevenoaks, which could attract opportunistic offenders. These shifts illustrate a combination of seasonal factors and local geography, with some categories diverging sharply from national patterns.

Otford and Kemsing's crime rate in December 2025 dropped by 33.2% from the previous month's 4.4 per 1,000 to 2.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern of reduced public activity during winter holidays. below the UK average. Daily crime figures show one reported incident per day on average, a statistic that may reflect the area's low population density and limited nightlife. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 343 residents, a rate that underscores the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a monthly exposure of 0.29% to crime, a figure that is 71% lower than the UK average of 1.0% (calculated from 7.0 per 1,000). This contrast highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in a built-up area with strong community engagement.