Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, Tunbridge Wells recorded 731 crimes, equating to 6.1 crimes per 1,000 residents—18.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This rate reflects a relatively low level of crime for an area of this population size, with 119,694 residents experiencing roughly one reported crime for every 164 people over the course of the month. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.7%) and criminal damage and arson (8.6%). These patterns align with Tunbridge Wells’ character as a largely rural district with a mix of urban centres, where seasonal factors such as Easter and spring weather may influence crime trends. The high proportion of violent crimes may be linked to increased social interactions during the Easter period, while anti-social behaviour could reflect heightened outdoor activity as the weather improves. Conversely, property crimes like burglary and vehicle crime were lower than the UK average, suggesting that the area’s lower population density and greater community cohesion may contribute to reduced opportunities for such offences. The overall crime rate, while slightly up from March (5.5 per 1,000), remains well below the national average, illustrating a consistent trend of lower crime levels in this part of Kent compared to other regions.

April 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with anti-social behaviour surging by 95.7% (from 70 to 137 incidents) and public order offences rising by 73.1% (from 26 to 45). These increases may be attributed to the Easter holiday period, which often brings larger crowds to local attractions and events, potentially straining community resources and increasing opportunities for disruptive behaviour. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences rose by 12%, though they remained 4% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000). Burglary dropped by 54.3% (from 35 to 16), a decline that could be linked to warmer weather reducing the incentive for intrusions or improved community vigilance. Theft from the person also fell by 50%, reflecting reduced foot traffic in public spaces during Easter. On the other hand, shoplifting remained slightly above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), indicating that retail areas in Tunbridge Wells may still face challenges with petty theft despite the overall downward trend in crime. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in the area, where seasonal events and weather conditions can have a measurable impact on specific types of offending.

The crime rate in Tunbridge Wells for April 2023 (6.1 per 1,000) marked a 10.3% increase from March’s rate of 5.5 per 1,000, though it remained significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 24 crimes were reported daily—roughly one for every 4.16 residents per day. This daily frequency provides a tangible sense of how often residents might encounter crime in their immediate environment, though the overall monthly exposure of one crime for every 164 residents suggests that most residents are not directly affected by criminal activity. When scaled to the population of 119,694, the 731 crimes represent a relatively small proportion of the total population, reinforcing the area’s status as a low-crime region compared to national benchmarks. The contrast with the UK average is particularly stark in categories such as vehicle crime (56% below the UK rate) and burglary (67% below), which may reflect Tunbridge Wells’ lower population density and the presence of more private, less congested spaces that deter opportunistic offenders. These figures offer a nuanced perspective for residents, illustrating that while crime rates may fluctuate month-on-month, the area’s overall safety profile remains distinct from the broader UK context.