Wateringbury Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Wateringbury

Wateringbury, a Built-Up Area within Tonbridge and Malling, reports an overall crime rate of 52.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a considerably safer community. The area achieves a strong safety score of 87 out of 100, which is well above the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Wateringbury has experienced an increase of 41.9% in its year-over-year crime rate. This overview provides a clear picture of Wateringbury's crime statistics, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime categories and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis

In Wateringbury, 'Violence and sexual offences' constitute the most prevalent crime category, accounting for 42.9% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 22.6 per 1,000 residents. 'Criminal damage and arson' follows, making up 18.1% (9.5 per 1,000), with 'Other theft' as the third most common at 15.2% (8.0 per 1,000). The overall property-related crime rate in Wateringbury is 22.6 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This includes criminal damage and arson, other theft, vehicle crime (3.5 per 1,000), and burglary (1.5 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight that while violence is the leading concern, the risk of property crime is notably low. This creates a generally secure environment, though vigilance for all crime types is always advised.

Crime Trends in Wateringbury

Wateringbury has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a year-over-year rise of 41.9%. While this indicates an increase, it's important to note it comes from a relatively low base. A review of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 people shows fluctuations. Rates varied from a low of 2.5 in January 2025 to a high of 7.0 in April 2025. Other months, such as October 2024 (4.0) and December 2024 (4.0), showed consistent figures. This pattern suggests that while there has been an increase, crime levels remain well below the national average. For residents, this trend indicates that while vigilance is always important, Wateringbury continues to be a very safe area with a low incidence of crime.

Time Patterns of Crime

Crime in Wateringbury demonstrates varying patterns across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most significant crime at 55%, followed by vehicle crime at 9% and burglary at 3%. This period often correlates with commuter movements and commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft increase to 62%, with burglary rising to 6% and vehicle crime at 3%. 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 25% and vehicle crime is 11%. This shift often reflects social activity and nightlife. Finally, night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a significant increase in 'other' crimes (48%) and vehicle crime (30%), occurring when areas are quietest and properties are most vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

Wateringbury's crime rate of 52.6 per 1,000 people positions it as a very safe area within the region. When compared to its neighbours, Wateringbury often stands out for its lower crime figures. Teston, Yalding, and Hale Street, being smaller or more rural settlements, would likely exhibit similar or even lower crime rates, reflecting their quieter characteristics. Kings Hill, a planned community, typically boasts a significantly lower crime rate due to its design and demographics. This comparison helps residents understand Wateringbury's strong position within the regional safety landscape, highlighting its generally more favourable crime rate compared to many of its neighbours, offering context for local safety considerations.

Protecting Your Home and Property

With a property crime rate of 22.6 per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the national average, Wateringbury residents still benefit from robust home security measures. The emphasis should be on proactive crime prevention, rather than merely documenting 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.