Tonbridge and Malling Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2025, Tonbridge and Malling maintained a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents, 25.9% below the UK average of 8.1. This statistic highlights the area's ongoing success in keeping crime levels significantly lower than national benchmarks. The crime profile was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 36.7% of all incidents, slightly outpacing property crimes (32.6%). Violence and sexual offences (303 incidents) were the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (170) and criminal damage and arson (80). This violent-crime-heavy profile contrasts with some UK regions where property crime often dominates, suggesting local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies may play a role. Seasonal patterns in May—marked by longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—may have contributed to the higher proportion of violent incidents. The area's low levels of theft from the person (0.0 per 1,000) and robbery (0.0 per 1,000) further distinguish it from the UK average, where these categories are more common. The consistent underperformance of property crimes relative to the national average, particularly in categories like shoplifting (25% below UK levels) and vehicle crime (25% below), indicates that local initiatives or environmental factors may be effectively reducing opportunities for such offences. However, the slight rise in violent crime compared to April 2025 (7.9%) underscores the need for continued vigilance in addressing interpersonal conflicts and ensuring community safety.

May 2025 saw a dramatic 250% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This spike, though still below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, raises questions about local factors such as increased cycling during warmer weather or changes in bike storage practices. Concurrently, theft from the person doubled from 0 to 5 incidents, a sharp rise that may reflect heightened outdoor activity during longer evenings. In contrast, public order offences fell by 28.6% (42 to 30), potentially linked to the impact of bank holidays reducing large gatherings. Violent crimes, which accounted for 36.7% of all incidents, remained 22% below the UK average, illustrating a balance between local safety measures and the persistent challenge of managing interpersonal conflicts. The 60% increase in possession of weapons (5 to 8) also stands out, though this category remains below the UK average, suggesting targeted interventions may have had a limited effect.

Tonbridge and Malling's crime rate in May 2025 rose by 7.9% compared to April 2025, increasing from 5.6 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend, though still well below the UK average of 8.1, suggests a slight shift in local dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 27 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for the frequency of incidents within a typical 24-hour period. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 166 residents experienced a reported crime, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to the local population of 136,853, this figure underscores that the majority of residents remain unaffected by crime, though the slight increase from the previous month warrants attention. The population context also highlights that even with the 7.9% rise, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with crime levels still 25.9% below national figures.