Benenden Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Benenden, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a concerning trend. With a crime rate of 28.6 per 1,000 residents, Benenden experiences a significantly higher level of crime compared to the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. This translates to a safety score of 94/100, which while seemingly high, reflects the elevated crime levels. Importantly, crime rates are increasing year-on-year by 22.2%, indicating a potential escalation in criminal activity within the area. Understanding these figures and the underlying factors is crucial for residents and local authorities to implement effective crime prevention strategies and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

The latest crime data for Benenden, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning pattern of criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant proportion of reported crimes, accounting for 28.8% of the total, with 19 incidents recorded. Burglary follows closely, contributing 16.7% (11 incidents), highlighting a vulnerability within the area. Other theft makes up 12.1% of incidents (8 crimes), impacting residents and businesses alike. Public order offences and criminal damage and arson are also present, each accounting for 12.1% and 9.1% of reported crimes respectively. Vehicle crime, at 7.6%, suggests a need for increased vigilance regarding vehicle security within Benenden. While incidents of drug-related crime and other miscellaneous crimes remain relatively low, the overall distribution underscores a need for targeted interventions and community engagement to address these concerns.

The rising crime rate in Benenden is a significant concern. From January 2025 to December 2025, crime has increased by 22.2% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals fluctuating crime levels, with a notable spike in May 2025 (5.2 incidents per 1,000 residents) and a consistent presence of elevated crime throughout the latter half of the year. While some months, like February and April, showed lower rates (1.3 incidents per 1,000 residents), the overall upward trend remains undeniable. This suggests an evolving criminal landscape requiring proactive and adaptive security measures.

How To Keep Safe in Benenden

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s vital to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when out alone. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas at night. Burglary is also a significant concern; ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, even when you're home. Consider investing in visible security measures, such as security lighting and window alarms. Finally, be mindful of theft, especially in public places, and keep valuables out of sight.

The pattern of crime in Benenden demonstrates distinct variations throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm), burglaries tend to occur at a rate of 28%, with theft being a significant factor at 43%. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a shift with burglary rising to 42% and theft remaining high at 41%. The evening hours (6pm-12am) are characterized by a rise in burglaries (43%) and a notable increase in vehicle crime (13%). Finally, during the night (12am-6am), burglaries remain high (47%), while vehicle crime spikes significantly (29%), highlighting a vulnerability during these hours.

Compared to Benenden, several neighbouring areas demonstrate significantly lower crime rates. Coursehorn, East End, and Gun Green all report zero crimes per 1,000 residents, highlighting a stark contrast. Cranbrook (Tunbridge Wells), however, presents a different picture with a substantially higher crime rate of 102.9 per 1,000, underlining the varied safety profiles within the region and suggesting that Benenden’s crime rates are an anomaly compared to surrounding settlements.

Traditional CCTV systems provide a record of criminal activity, but often after the fact. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually preventing threats at your property line is another. Consider a proactive security system like scOS. Unlike conventional systems that merely record incidents, scOS uses AI to detect potential threats before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence watches your property boundary continuously, instantly verifying vehicle plates with the DVLA and learning your family's routines. This proactive approach, coupled with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, creates an element of surprise that often deters criminals. The 60-second decision point for many burglars is critical; scOS makes that decision easy – they move on.