Kings Hill Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Kings Hill

Kings Hill, a Built-Up Area within Tonbridge and Malling, boasts an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 41.9 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is dramatically lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Kings Hill as a significantly safer community. The area achieves an outstanding safety score of 91 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Kings Hill has experienced a slight increase of 5.9% in its year-over-year crime rate. This overview provides a clear picture of Kings Hill's crime statistics, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime categories and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis

In Kings Hill, 'Violence and sexual offences' represent the most common crime category, accounting for 33.6% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 residents. 'Anti-social behaviour' follows, making up 23.0% (9.6 per 1,000), with 'Criminal damage and arson' as the third most prevalent at 13.1% (5.5 per 1,000). The overall property-related crime rate in Kings Hill is 13.5 per 1.000 people, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This includes other theft (2.8 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.1 per 1,000), shoplifting (1.9 per 1,000), burglary (1.1 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.1 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.1 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 Kings Hill

Kings Hill has experienced a slight increase in its crime trend over the last year, with a year-over-year rise of 5.9%. While this is an increase, it's important to note it comes from a very low base. A review of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 people shows generally low figures with some minor fluctuations. Rates ranged from a low of 2.4 in August 2025 to a high of 4.8 in March 2025. Other months, such as October 2024 (3.6) and May 2025 (3.8), showed consistent low figures. This pattern suggests that while there has been a modest increase, crime levels remain well below the national average. For residents, this trend indicates that while vigilance is always important, Kings Hill continues to be a very safe area with a low incidence of crime.

Time Patterns of Crime

Crime in Kings Hill demonstrates varying patterns across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant crime at 39%, followed by vehicle crime at 15% and burglary at 7%. This period often correlates with commuter movements and commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft increase to 45%, with burglary rising to 13% and vehicle crime at 6%. This aligns with peak shopping hours and potentially unattended residences. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crime types become predominant at 59%, while theft drops to 15% and vehicle crime is 14%. This shift often reflects social activity and nightlife. Finally, night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a notable increase in vehicle crime (36%) and burglary (13%), occurring when areas are quietest and properties are most vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

Kings Hill's exceptionally low crime rate of 41.9 per 1,000 people makes it a standout in the region. When compared to nearby areas, Kings Hill consistently ranks as one of the safest. Wateringbury, Teston, and Offham, being smaller or more rural settlements, might also exhibit lower crime figures, but Kings Hill's planned community environment often contributes to its particularly low rates. West Malling, being a larger Built-Up Area, might show a slightly higher crime rate due to its more active commercial centre. This comparison helps residents understand Kings Hill'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 Kings Hill'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.