Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells maintained a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, marking a 24.3% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This performance underscores the area’s relative safety, particularly given its status as a commuter hub and market town with a mix of residential and retail zones. Violence and sexual offences remained the most frequently reported crimes, contributing 41.2% of all incidents, though their rate was 12% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, accounting for 14.7% of crimes, with its rate 19% below the national figure. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter daylight hours and reduced retail activity—likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate, as outdoor and shoplifting-related incidents typically decline during this time. However, the data also reveals a nuanced picture: while violent crime rates are below average, the proportion of property crimes (including shoplifting and vehicle crime) remained consistent with the area’s retail and transport infrastructure. This balance suggests that local factors, such as the presence of high-street shops and commuter rail links, may influence crime patterns. The relatively low rates of drug-related offences (52% below the UK average) and possession of weapons (100% below) further highlight the area’s demographic stability, though these figures should be interpreted cautiously as they may reflect both effective policing and genuine community trends. Overall, the data illustrates an area where crime management strategies appear to be working, though ongoing vigilance is necessary to sustain this trajectory.

January 2024 saw a sharp 87.5% decrease in theft from the person, with reported incidents dropping from 8 to 1—a stark contrast to the previous month. This decline may reflect heightened awareness during the post-holiday period or targeted policing efforts. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.2% of all reported incidents, though their rate (2.3 per 1,000) was 12% below the UK average. Shoplifting increased by 5.2%, potentially linked to seasonal retail activity shifts. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 11.2%, though its rate (0.8 per 1,000) remained 19% below the UK average. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local factors and broader trends, with some categories showing resilience against national averages.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate in January 2024 fell to 5.6 per 1,000 residents, a 12.1% decline from December’s 6.4 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as January often sees lower retail footfall and reduced outdoor activity compared to busier holiday periods. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 22 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the overall downward trend. When scaled to the population, this means one reported crime occurred for roughly every 177 residents over the course of the month—a rate significantly lower than the UK average. The area’s demographic profile, with a mix of residential and commercial zones, may partly explain the balanced distribution of crime types, though the sharp drop in theft from the person and robbery suggests heightened awareness or effective policing during the festive season. These figures provide context for residents assessing local safety relative to national trends.