Tonbridge and Malling Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 saw Tonbridge and Malling report 733 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents—28.9% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. The most striking figure was the 200% surge in robbery incidents, rising from 1 to 3 cases, an anomaly that defies seasonal expectations. This spike contrasts with broader trends, where violence and sexual offences (240 cases, 32.7% of total crimes) remained 30% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour (99 cases) was 37% below the national benchmark. The area’s crime profile reflects a combination of urban and rural dynamics, with retail centres and commuter hubs likely contributing to shoplifting (75 cases) and vehicle crime (40 cases), both of which were below UK averages. Seasonal factors, including Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping, may partly explain fluctuations, though the sharp rise in robbery lacks an immediate contextual link. Property crimes accounted for 43% of all incidents, with criminal damage and arson (113 cases) marking a 40% increase above the UK average, suggesting localized issues in public spaces. The data underscores Tonbridge and Malling’s position as a relatively safe area, with violent crime rates significantly lower than the UK norm, though targeted interventions may be needed for rising robbery rates.

November 2024 revealed stark shifts in crime patterns, with robbery incidents surging by 200%—from 1 to 3 cases—despite the month’s typical low crime season. This anomaly contrasts with declines in other categories, including a 66.7% drop in theft from the person (from 3 to 1) and a 60% reduction in possession of weapons (from 10 to 4). The balance of crime types also shifted, with property crimes (314 cases) outpacing violent crimes (240 cases), a departure from the UK average where violent crime dominates. Criminal damage and arson rose by 17.7% (96 to 113), placing the area 40% above the UK average for this category—a potential indicator of localized tensions or environmental factors. Meanwhile, other theft increased by 39.5% (43 to 60), suggesting possible vulnerabilities in retail or residential security. These findings highlight a mixed picture: while violent crime remains well below the UK average, property-related incidents and specific categories like criminal damage show troubling divergences. Residents might find the 40% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly concerning, as it exceeds the national rate by a significant margin.

Tonbridge and Malling’s crime rate in November 2024 (5.4 per 1,000) fell 4.8% compared to October’s 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. Over the 30 days of November, the area recorded an average of 24 crimes per day, a figure that, while lower than the UK average, illustrates the ongoing need for vigilance. On a monthly scale, one crime was reported for every 187 residents—a statistic that contextualizes the frequency of incidents within the local population. This rate is lower than the UK average, with violent crime (1.8 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) both significantly below national benchmarks. However, the 40% increase in criminal damage and arson over the UK average raises questions about localized factors contributing to this category. The population context also highlights the area’s relatively low exposure to crime compared to the UK as a whole, though the sharp rise in robbery incidents suggests targeted risks. These comparisons underscore Tonbridge and Malling’s position as a safer area overall, but with specific vulnerabilities that warrant attention, particularly in addressing the spike in property-related crimes.