West Kingsdown Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,087, West Kingsdown recorded 19 crimes in April 2025, translating to 3.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 59.7% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest crime rates in the country for this area. The most common crimes were anti-social behaviour (21.1% of total), burglary (15.8%), and criminal damage and arson (15.8%). These figures suggest a community where property-related offences and public disorder dominate, but violent crime remains relatively rare. The seasonal context of April—Easter, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—may partly explain the distribution of crimes, as anti-social behaviour and property crimes often rise during periods of heightened social interaction and tourism. The area's rural-suburban character, with limited urban density and a focus on residential living, likely contributes to its lower crime profile compared to larger cities. Violent crimes accounted for only 15.8% of all recorded incidents, far below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, reflecting the area's emphasis on safety and community cohesion. While the overall rate is low, the relative increase in burglary (up 50% from March) and the emergence of shoplifting as a new category (100% increase) warrant attention, potentially linked to seasonal retail activity or transient populations visiting the area during Easter.

April 2025 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting and drug-related offences each increasing by 100% compared to March, marking their first recorded instances in the month. Burglary also rose by 50%, from 2 to 3 incidents, suggesting a potential seasonal uptick in property crimes during Easter. Conversely, other theft decreased by 80% (from 10 to 2), and violence and sexual offences fell by 75% (from 12 to 3), indicating a marked reduction in violent crime that may be tied to increased community engagement during the Easter period. Anti-social behaviour, though the most common category (21.1% of total crimes), remains 47% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000, highlighting the area's generally low levels of disorder. Burglary, however, stands out as 85% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the area's overall safety profile. This anomaly may reflect localized vulnerabilities, such as the presence of high-value properties in certain parts of the built-up area. Residents may find the 100% increase in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it could signal new challenges for local businesses during peak retail seasons.

West Kingsdown's crime rate in April 2025 (3.1 per 1,000 residents) represents a 48.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.1 per 1,000, illustrating a sharp decline in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in April, a figure that, while low, underscores the importance of vigilance in maintaining this trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 320 residents, a statistic that provides context for the relative safety of the area. When scaled to the population of 6,087, this means that the likelihood of any individual encountering crime is significantly lower than the national average. The area's built-up character within Sevenoaks—likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial properties—may contribute to the balance between property crimes and the low incidence of violent offences. The 59.7% gap between West Kingsdown's rate and the UK average further emphasizes its status as an outlier in terms of safety, with the area's rural-suburban setting potentially playing a role in deterring more severe forms of crime. For residents, these figures reinforce the importance of community policing and local initiatives in sustaining the current low crime environment.