Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells maintained a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents in July 2024, marking a 21.4% deficit relative to the UK average of 8.4. This performance aligns with the area's character as a largely rural district with pockets of urban density, where seasonal dynamics and community engagement may partly explain the sustained low crime profile. Violence and sexual offences (34.8% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (16.3%) dominated the crime mix, reflecting patterns consistent with summer months when public spaces see increased use. The area's relatively low levels of property crime—particularly burglary (2.5% of total) and vehicle crime (6.6% of total)—suggest effective community policing or environmental design features that deter such offences. Shoplifting, however, stood out as a notable exception, with rates 18% above the UK average (0.8 vs 0.7 per 1,000). This anomaly may correlate with the town's retail presence during peak tourist season, when foot traffic and temporary populations could create opportunities for such crimes. The overall crime picture for July 2024 illustrates a balance between seasonal pressures and systemic factors that keep Tunbridge Wells significantly below the national benchmark, though targeted interventions may be needed to address the shoplifting uptick.

July 2024 saw significant month-on-month shifts in crime patterns, with theft from the person rising 75% (4 to 7 incidents) and possession of weapons increasing by 60% (5 to 8). These spikes, though still low in absolute terms, may reflect the summer surge in outdoor activity and events, which can heighten vulnerability to petty theft. Conversely, burglary fell 35.5% (31 to 20) and robbery dropped 33.3% (6 to 4), suggesting that community vigilance or improved security measures may be compensating for seasonal risks. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 57.6% (33 to 52), linked to increased car usage during the summer months or targeted opportunistic thefts near retail zones. While shoplifting remained 18% above the UK average, this category's share of total crimes (12.2%) was lower than the national proportion, indicating that local retailers may have adopted effective deterrents. The most concerning anomaly was the 100% increase in bicycle theft (1 incident) compared to the UK average. Residents should note that anti-social behaviour, at 16.3% of total crimes, was 24% below the UK average, highlighting the area's relative success in managing disruptive conduct during peak season.

The crime rate in Tunbridge Wells rose 3.9% month-on-month from 6.3 to 6.6 per 1,000 residents in July 2024, though it remains well below the UK average. This translates to approximately 25 crimes reported daily across the district's 119,694 residents, a figure that would equate to one crime occurring for roughly every 152 residents over the course of the month. When compared to the previous month, the increase was most pronounced in violent crimes (274 incidents) and property crimes (299 incidents), though the overall rate still benefits from a population-scaled perspective: Tunbridge Wells' crime profile is 21.4% more favourable than the UK average, suggesting systemic factors—such as community cohesion or environmental design—may be contributing to this disparity. The daily crime count, while seemingly high in absolute terms, is tempered by the area's relatively low population density and the presence of open spaces that may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The monthly exposure metric (1-in-152 residents) underscores that most residents experience no crime at all, a statistic that would be less common in more densely populated urban centres. This comparative advantage, however, does not eliminate the need for vigilance in areas where specific crime types—like shoplifting—remain elevated relative to national benchmarks.