Blue Bell Hill Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Blue Bell Hill

Blue Bell Hill, a Built-Up Area within Tonbridge and Malling, reports an overall crime rate of 67.3 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a considerably safer community. The area achieves a strong safety score of 86 out of 100, which is well above the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Blue Bell Hill has experienced a positive change, with a year-over-year decrease of 11.7% in its crime rate. This overview provides a clear picture of Blue Bell Hill's crime statistics, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime categories and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis

In Blue Bell Hill, 'Violence and sexual offences' constitute the most prevalent crime category, accounting for 28.6% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents. 'Criminal damage and arson' follows, making up 17.6% (11.8 per 1,000), with 'Anti-social behaviour' as the third most common at 16.5% (11.1 per 1,000). The overall property-related crime rate in Blue Bell Hill is 28.1 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This includes criminal damage and arson, other theft (7.4 per 1,000), vehicle crime (6.7 per 1,000), and burglary (2.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight that while personal safety and anti-social behaviour are concerns, the risk of property crime is notably low. This creates a generally secure environment, though vigilance for all crime types is always advised.

Crime Trends in Blue Bell Hill

Blue Bell Hill has demonstrated a positive crime trend over the last year, experiencing a year-over-year decrease of 11.7%. This indicates effective efforts in reducing crime within the Built-Up Area. A review of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 people shows fluctuations but a generally stable to decreasing pattern. Rates varied from a low of 1.5 in April 2025 to a high of 11.1 in December 2024. Other months, such as October 2024 (3.0) and July 2025 (8.9), showed varying figures. This pattern suggests that while there can be monthly variations, the overall trajectory points towards a safer environment. For residents, this decreasing trend is a strong positive indicator, suggesting that local initiatives are contributing to enhanced safety and security.

Time Patterns of Crime

Crime in Blue Bell Hill demonstrates varying patterns across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant crime at 38%, followed by vehicle crime at 20% and burglary at 6%. This period often correlates with commuter movements and commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft increase to 46%, with burglary rising to 11% and vehicle crime at 8%. This aligns with peak shopping hours and potentially unattended residences. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crime types become predominant at 56%, while theft drops to 15% and vehicle crime is 20%. This shift often reflects social activity and nightlife. Finally, night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a significant increase in vehicle crime (46%) and 'other' crimes (37%), occurring when areas are quietest and properties are most vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

Blue Bell Hill's crime rate of 67.3 per 1,000 people positions it as a very safe area within the region. When compared to its neighbours, Blue Bell Hill often stands out for its lower crime figures. Kit's Coty, Burham, and Eccles (Tonbridge and Malling), being smaller or more rural settlements, would likely exhibit similar or even lower crime rates, reflecting their quieter characteristics. Peters Village, another nearby settlement, might show a significantly higher crime rate due to its specific characteristics. This comparison helps residents understand Blue Bell Hill's strong position within the regional safety landscape, highlighting its generally more favourable crime rate compared to many of its neighbours, offering context for local safety considerations.

Protecting Your Home and Property

With a property crime rate of 28.1 per 1,000 people, which is below the national average, Blue Bell Hill residents still benefit from robust home security measures. The emphasis should be on proactive crime prevention, rather than merely documenting incidents after they occur. Many conventional security cameras, such as Ring or Nest, primarily capture footage of a burglary, documenting the event rather than actively stopping it. Similarly, basic DIY alarm systems often provide alerts after an intrusion has occurred, meaning the crime is already in progress.

For enhanced protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a transformative solution. scOS is engineered to prevent crime by detecting threats at your property boundary, intervening before an intruder can gain entry. It utilises multi-camera intelligence to monitor your entire property simultaneously, eliminating blind spots. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between routine activities and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. With autonomous responses, including activating lights and engaging speakers, scOS creates an immediate deterrent, destroying the element of surprise that burglars depend on. This professional-grade security makes your property a less appealing target, intervening within the critical 60-second window where most burglars decide whether to proceed.