Tonbridge and Malling Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Tonbridge and Malling recorded 744 crimes in October 2025, equating to a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 29.9% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, placing the area among the safer local authority districts in the country. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 29.6% of the total (220 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.7%, 184 incidents) and shoplifting (10%, 74 incidents). The distribution of crimes suggests a balance between violent and property-related offences, with property crimes making up 35.2% of the total (262 incidents) and violent crimes comprising 29.6%. Seasonal factors likely influenced October’s crime profile, as darker evenings and Halloween may have contributed to increased anti-social behaviour and shoplifting activity. The relatively low rate of violent crime, compared to the UK average, may reflect the area’s demographic composition and the presence of community-focused policing initiatives. Additionally, the significant underperformance of certain categories—such as public order offences (62% below UK average) and burglary (67% below)—indicates that Tonbridge and Malling is experiencing a crime profile distinct from many other parts of the UK, with fewer incidents of disorder and property crime in residential areas. This pattern is consistent with the area’s characteristics, which may include a mix of suburban and rural landscapes, as well as strong local engagement with law enforcement.

October 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime types, with bicycle theft rising by 50% (from 2 to 3 incidents) and shoplifting increasing by 39.6% (from 53 to 74). These increases may partly explain the overall 6.9% rise in the area’s crime rate compared to September. Conversely, other crime categories, such as burglary (down 13.6%) and possession of weapons (down 11.1%), decreased, reflecting a mixed picture of activity. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with UK averages: violence and sexual offences in Tonbridge and Malling are 40% below the national rate, while public order offences are 62% below. This divergence highlights the area’s unique dynamics, with low levels of violent crime potentially linked to its community-focused policing and the absence of high-density urban environments. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting—now accounting for 10% of total crimes—suggests heightened attention may be needed in retail areas, particularly as Halloween approached and foot traffic patterns shifted.

Tonbridge and Malling's crime rate in October 2025 rose by 6.9% compared to the previous month, increasing from 5.1 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This translates to roughly 24 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while consistent with the area’s historical trends, reflects a slight upward shift. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 184 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the relatively low incidence of crime compared to the UK average. With a population of 136,853, the 744 total crimes recorded in October equate to a manageable volume for local policing resources. However, the increase from September highlights the need for continued vigilance, particularly as seasonal factors like darker evenings and Halloween may influence certain crime types. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Tonbridge and Malling remains a safer area than the UK average, with crime rates consistently below national benchmarks across multiple categories, including violence and sexual offences, which are 40% below the UK average. This suggests that local community engagement and policing strategies may be contributing to sustained low crime levels, despite the small uptick in October.