Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells' crime profile in November 2023 reveals a nuanced interplay between property and violent crime, with both categories contributing roughly equally to the total of 782 reported incidents. The overall crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 13.3% below the UK average of 7.5, a gap that may reflect the town’s relatively low population density and strong community policing initiatives. Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.9% of all crimes, remain the most prevalent category, though they are 3% below the UK average—a trend consistent with Tunbridge Wells’ character as a historically quiet market town with fewer nightlife venues than larger urban centres. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common offence (11.6% of total crimes), is 24% below the UK average, likely influenced by the area’s suburban layout and limited late-night public spaces. Seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping likely contributed to fluctuations, with property crimes rising in tandem with retail activity. However, the absence of a significant spike in theft from the person or vehicle crime—both of which are typically elevated during festive periods—suggests that local efforts to enhance security in high-traffic areas may be effective. This month’s data highlights the importance of maintaining vigilance in response to targeted increases in burglary and other crime, while continuing to build on the town’s generally lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks.

November 2023 saw a stark shift in crime patterns, with burglary rising by 76.9% to 46 incidents—a significant jump from 26 in October. This increase, occurring amid Black Friday shopping activity, may be linked to heightened opportunities for opportunistic theft in retail areas. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 75.0%, possibly reflecting reduced cycling during colder weather or improved security measures. The balance between property and violent crime remains nearly equal, with 303 property crimes and 304 violent offences reported. Violence and sexual offences in Tunbridge Wells are 3% below the UK average (2.5 vs 2.6 per 1,000), suggesting local factors—such as community policing efforts or lower population density—may contribute to this disparity. Other crime also rose sharply, increasing by 76.5% to 30 incidents, a category that includes diverse offences from fraud to public disorder, indicating potential gaps in enforcement or reporting. These shifts underscore the need for targeted strategies to address emerging risks while maintaining progress in reducing overall crime.

Tunbridge Wells' November 2023 crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents marks a 2.2% decrease from the previous month's 6.7, reflecting a slight but consistent trend in crime reduction. Daily crime figures show 26 reported incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the ongoing presence of crime in the area. Over the course of November, one crime occurred for every 153 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. This statistic, when paired with the area’s population of 119,694, highlights that while Tunbridge Wells remains safer than the UK average, the distribution of crime across different categories deserves closer attention. The drop in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, for instance, may indicate the effectiveness of local initiatives or seasonal factors such as reduced evening activity during darker November nights. However, the rise in burglary and other crime suggests that specific vulnerabilities—potentially tied to increased retail activity around Black Friday—require targeted responses.