Hildenborough Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Hildenborough

Hildenborough, a Built-Up Area within Tonbridge and Malling, boasts an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 31.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is dramatically lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Hildenborough as a significantly safer community. The area achieves an outstanding safety score of 93 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Hildenborough has experienced a notable increase of 60.9% in its year-over-year crime rate. This overview provides a clear picture of Hildenborough's crime statistics, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime categories and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis

In Hildenborough, 'Violence and sexual offences' represent the most common crime category, accounting for 31.1% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents. 'Shoplifting' follows, making up 16.5% (5.2 per 1,000), with 'Anti-social behaviour' as the third most prevalent at 15.5% (4.9 per 1,000). The overall property-related crime rate in Hildenborough is 13.5 per 1,000 people, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This includes shoplifting, criminal damage and arson (3.7 per 1,000), other theft (1.5 per 1,000), vehicle crime (1.5 per 1,000), burglary (1.2 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (0.3 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics paint a very positive picture, indicating a significantly lower risk of property crime compared to national figures. While personal safety is still the leading concern, the overall environment is very secure.

Crime Trends in Hildenborough

Hildenborough has experienced a significant increasing crime trend over the last year, with a year-over-year rise of 60.9%. While this is a notable increase, it's crucial to contextualise it against a very low baseline crime rate. A review of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 people shows fluctuations. Rates varied from a low of 0.9 in September 2025 to a high of 4.9 in May 2025. Other months, such as November 2024 (4.6) and February 2025 (1.5), showed varying figures. This pattern suggests that while there has been an increase, crime levels remain well below the national average. For residents, this trend indicates that while vigilance is always important, Hildenborough continues to be a very safe area with a relatively low incidence of crime.

Time Patterns of Crime

Crime in Hildenborough demonstrates varying patterns across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant crime at 21%, followed by vehicle crime at 19% and burglary at 13%. This period often correlates with commuter movements and commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft increase to 24%, with burglary rising to 23% and vehicle crime at 7%. This aligns with peak shopping hours and potentially unattended residences. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crime types become predominant at 62%, while theft drops to 7% and vehicle crime is 16%. This shift often reflects social activity and nightlife. Finally, night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a significant increase in vehicle crime (36%) and burglary (18%), occurring when areas are quietest and properties are most vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

Hildenborough's exceptionally low crime rate of 31.7 per 1,000 people makes it a standout in the region. When compared to nearby areas, Hildenborough consistently ranks as one of the safest. Leigh (Sevenoaks), Sevenoaks Weald, and Pittswood, being smaller or more rural settlements, would likely exhibit similar or even lower crime rates, reflecting their quieter characteristics. Tonbridge, being a larger Built-Up Area, would typically show a higher crime rate due to its more active commercial centre and population density. This comparison helps residents understand Hildenborough's strong position within the regional safety landscape, highlighting its status as a very secure and desirable place to live compared to many of its neighbours.

Protecting Your Home and Property

Despite Hildenborough's very low property crime rate of 13.5 per 1,000 people, maintaining robust home security remains a sensible precaution. The most effective approach is proactive crime prevention, rather than simply recording 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.