Tonbridge and Malling Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2025, Tonbridge and Malling recorded a total of 744 crimes across a population of 136,853 residents, translating to a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is 29.9% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, underscoring the area’s relatively low crime profile. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (220 incidents, 29.6% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (184 incidents, 24.7%) and shoplifting (74 incidents, 10.0%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a largely suburban and commuter-focused district, where anti-social behaviour often occurs in public spaces and retail areas. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, the clocks going back, and the approach of Halloween—may have influenced the rise in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, as darker evenings can reduce visibility and increase opportunities for crime. However, the rate of violence and sexual offences was lower than the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s stable community environment and effective policing strategies. Property crimes, including shoplifting and vehicle crime, were 21% to 29% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives to deter theft in retail and public spaces may be working. The overall crime rate, while slightly higher than the previous month’s 5.1 per 1,000, remains well within a range that indicates a safe and manageable environment for residents.

October saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with shoplifting increasing by 39.6% (from 53 to 74 incidents) and bicycle theft rising by 50% (from 2 to 3). These jumps may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the approach of Christmas shopping and the increased use of bicycles in milder autumn weather. Conversely, burglary and other crime both declined by 13.6% and 20.8%, respectively, suggesting a possible reduction in opportunistic theft. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 29.6% of all crimes, but this rate was 40% below the UK average. Public order offences, meanwhile, were 62% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 3% increase in anti-social behaviour. For residents, the 40% gap in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average offers a tangible insight into the area’s relative safety, highlighting the effectiveness of local policing in mitigating more severe crimes.

Tonbridge and Malling’s crime rate in October 2025 rose slightly from 5.1 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents, a 6.9% increase compared to the previous month. This shift, though modest, reflects the dynamic nature of local crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 24 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the volume of incidents within the community’s rhythm. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 184 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure rate in a population of 136,853. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, this means that the likelihood of any individual encountering crime is relatively low, with the rate remaining 29.9% below the UK average. The increase in October may be attributed to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and the Halloween period, which can influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and theft. However, the overall crime rate remains well within the range of other similar areas, suggesting that the local policing and community initiatives have maintained a stable environment despite the small upward trend.