Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells recorded a crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, placing it 19.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, masks a complex picture of crime distribution. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.9% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.8%) and shoplifting (12.0%). These patterns reflect the town's character as a mix of historic urban core and suburban areas, where public spaces and retail zones drive specific crime types. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced the overall rate, though the drop in violence and sexual offences compared to January suggests other factors at play. Shoplifting, which sits 30% above the UK average, is likely tied to the town's retail presence, particularly in the historic High Street and surrounding commercial areas. Anti-social behaviour, 24% below the UK average, may benefit from community engagement initiatives or local policing strategies. The relatively low burglary rate (33% below UK average) could be attributed to the town's suburban layout and increased domestic security measures. However, the sharp rise in theft from the person and the spike in weapon possession warrant closer attention, as these trends may indicate evolving criminal tactics or increased vulnerability in specific locations.

February 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime types that demand attention. Theft from the person rose by 500%, jumping from one reported incident in January to six in February. This dramatic surge, though still low in absolute terms, may partly explain the 30% above UK average rate for shoplifting in the area. Robbery also increased by 150%, with incidents rising from two to five, highlighting a growing concern in public spaces. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 50%, a troubling trend that could signal shifting criminal activity patterns. These increases contrast with declines in other areas: public order offences dropped by 37.5% to 25 incidents, and burglary fell by 10.3% to 26 cases. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 9.7% to 251 incidents, a drop that may reflect seasonal factors or targeted policing efforts. Residents should be particularly alert to areas with high foot traffic, where theft from the person and shoplifting have both exceeded national averages.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate remained stable in February 2024, shifting by just 0.9% from the previous month's 5.6 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. This suggests little immediate change in overall public safety, though the underlying composition of crime types reveals shifts worth noting. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 23 crimes per day in February, a figure that reflects both the total count and the spread of criminal activity across the district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 176 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than the UK average. This figure, while seemingly small, underscores the importance of vigilance in specific areas where crime rates have fluctuated. The population context further illustrates that Tunbridge Wells, with its 119,694 residents, maintains a crime profile that diverges from national trends in several key categories, particularly in property crime and violent offences. Understanding these dynamics helps residents contextualise their own risk levels and informs community safety strategies.