Local Area Crime Statistics

Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate

Crime is decreasing and LOW in Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells crime rate is 65.5 per 1,000, decreasing by 14.4%. With a safety score of 85/100, find detailed crime statistics and prevention advice.

Overall Crime Rate

65.5
per 1,000 people
30% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

23.4
per 1,000 people
30% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 119,694 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Tunbridge Wells

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Tunbridge Wells
Overall Crime Rate65.5 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate23.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score85 out of 100
Population119,694
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Tunbridge Wells
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences2,83223.736%
Anti-social behaviour1,28210.716%
Shoplifting8657.211%
Criminal damage and arson7396.29%
Other theft5514.67%
Public order4133.55%
Vehicle crime2762.34%
Burglary2702.33%
Other crime2191.83%
Drugs2171.83%
Possession of weapons650.51%
Robbery420.31%
Bicycle theft400.31%
Theft from the person250.20%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells records an overall crime rate of 65.5 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, which is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area boasts a robust safety score of 85 out of 100, surpassing the national average of 78. Recent data indicates a positive trend, with a decreasing by 14.4% in crime year-on-year. This suggests an improving safety landscape for its population of 119694. This report delves into detailed crime figures, offering insights into specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with nearby areas to provide a comprehensive understanding of safety in Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells Safety Score

85
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Tunbridge Wells has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Tunbridge Wells

Cranbrook (Tunbridge Wells)

100.4
per 1,000
High Risk

Paddock Wood

92.0
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Royal Tunbridge Wells

79.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Pembury

61.8
per 1,000
Low Risk

Hawkhurst

59.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Southborough

54.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Hartley

49.4
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Rusthall and Langton Green

49.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Lamberhurst

48.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Five Oak Green

43.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Horsmonden

34.9
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Sandhurst (Tunbridge Wells)

32.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells is a historic spa town in Kent, renowned for its elegant architecture, green spaces, and vibrant town centre. As a predominantly affluent and residential area, it attracts a mix of families and commuters, contributing to a stable population of 119694. The town serves as a significant commercial and retail hub for the surrounding rural areas, with a bustling high street and various leisure activities, including theatres, restaurants, and parks. These characteristics generally foster a community-oriented environment, which can contribute to lower crime rates compared to more densely populated urban centres. The strong local economy and active community initiatives also play a role in maintaining public order and safety within the district.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
2,832 incidents (23.7 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,282 incidents (10.7 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
865 incidents (7.2 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
739 incidents (6.2 per 1,000)
Other theft
551 incidents (4.6 per 1,000)
Public order
413 incidents (3.5 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
276 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Burglary
270 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Other crime
219 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Drugs
217 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
65 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
42 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
40 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
25 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 9.3% change(over 12 months)
Tunbridge Wells
UK Average

Compare Tunbridge Wells with similar populations

Tunbridge Wells has a 29.9% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Tunbridge Wells

In Tunbridge Wells, the most prevalent crime types are Violence and sexual offences (36.1% of all crimes), Anti-social behaviour (16.4% of total), and Shoplifting (11.0% of total). Property-related crimes, which include burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, collectively account for 23.4 crimes per 1,000 people. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000, indicating a relatively secure environment for homeowners and residents. For residents and homeowners, understanding these patterns is crucial for targeted prevention. While general safety is high, awareness of common offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in commercial or public spaces can help in taking appropriate precautions. Protecting your property against theft and burglary remains important, even with lower overall rates, as these still represent a significant portion of reported incidents.

Crime Trends in Tunbridge Wells

The crime trend in Tunbridge Wells shows a highly favourable direction, with a significant 14.4% decreasing year-over-year. This indicates a sustained improvement in public safety across the district. Examining the monthly data reveals fluctuations, with crime rates per 1,000 residents ranging from a low of 4.9 in 2025-09 to a high of 6.5 in 2025-07. For example, after a slight increase into July 2025, the rate saw a notable drop by September 2025. Despite these monthly variations, the overall annual decline suggests a positive long-term improvement in local safety. This trend is reassuring for residents and businesses, reflecting effective community safety initiatives and a generally secure environment.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When compared to neighbouring areas, Tunbridge Wells demonstrates a commendable safety profile. Its overall crime rate of 65.5 per 1,000 is lower than that observed in districts such as Maidstone and Ashford. While slightly higher than Rother, Tonbridge and Malling, and Wealden, its safety score of 85 out of 100 places it favourably within the region. This indicates a relatively safer environment compared to many of its surrounding districts, including Hastings. For those considering regional context, Tunbridge Wells consistently ranks as one of the safer options, offering residents peace of mind regarding local crime levels.

Protecting Your Home in Tunbridge Wells

Given Tunbridge Wells' property crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 people, residents may wish to consider robust home security measures. While traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after an incident, modern solutions like scOS offer proactive protection. Instead of simply recording a burglary, scOS uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary, acting before a break-in occurs. By leveraging multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, and pattern learning, scOS distinguishes real threats from routine activities. This enables an autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers to deter intruders, effectively destroying the element of surprise. Most burglars decide within 60 seconds whether to proceed; visible and intelligent deterrence makes them move on. The right security system makes that decision easy, positioning professional-grade equipment as a serious barrier against property crime.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Tunbridge Wells

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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