Otford and Kemsing Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Otford and Kemsing’s crime rate in May 2025 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, a figure 53.1% below the UK average of 8.1. This places the area firmly in the lower quartile of national crime statistics, a trend consistent with its character as a built-up area within Sevenoaks, likely influenced by its commuter suburb dynamics and proximity to natural landscapes. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 24.1% of all incidents, though this category remains 68% below the UK average. Criminal damage and arson (17.2%) and anti-social behaviour (13.8%) followed, with the latter significantly underperforming the national rate. Seasonal factors in May—such as longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—may partly explain the distribution of crime, particularly in violent and public order categories. The area’s low crime rate contrasts sharply with the UK average, suggesting a combination of strong community policing, limited nightlife density, and a residential profile that minimises opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the slight rise in drug-related crimes and possession of weapons highlights emerging challenges that could require targeted interventions.

May 2025 witnessed a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 2 to 4 incidents—a sharp uptick that outpaces other categories. This surge, combined with a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 0 to 2), suggests a shift in criminal activity that may partly explain the area’s relatively low overall crime rate. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), reflecting a marked decrease in property crime. The breakdown of crime types reveals a mixed picture: while violence and sexual offences (7 incidents) remain the most common category, they are 68% below the UK average. Conversely, drugs and possession of weapons are significantly above the UK average, with the latter 275% higher than the national rate. These disparities highlight the area’s unique profile, where certain categories deviate from the national trend. For residents, the 100% increase in drug-related crimes offers a concrete data point to consider when assessing local safety.

Otford and Kemsing's crime rate in May 2025 rose slightly by 3.5% compared to April's 3.7 per 1,000 residents. below the UK average. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime profile. When scaled to the population of 7,545, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 260 residents—a stark contrast to the UK’s national average. This low frequency underscores the area’s consistent safety record, though the slight month-on-month increase suggests minor fluctuations in local dynamics. The population-scaled perspective highlights that residents face a significantly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the UK average, with only 1 in 260 individuals encountering a reported incident over the course of the month. This context reinforces the area’s status as a comparatively safe built-up area within Sevenoaks, though the small upward trend in certain categories warrants attention.