Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate for September 2024 stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.3% below the UK average of 7.7. This figure reflects a persistent trend of lower-than-national crime rates in the area. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.6%) and shoplifting (9.3%). These patterns align with the area's character as a mix of urban and suburban environments, where retail presence and community interactions may influence certain crime types. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role: the transition into autumn, marked by back-to-school activities and university freshers' weeks, may have contributed to fluctuations in specific categories. However, the overall crime profile remains significantly below UK averages, a consistency that has been observed in prior months. Property crimes (including shoplifting and vehicle crime) accounted for 35.8% of total incidents, while violent crimes made up 38.4%, indicating a balanced distribution between property and violent crime. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.6 per 1,000) is 20% higher than Tunbridge Wells' rate, suggesting local factors—such as community policing strategies or demographic characteristics—may contribute to this divergence. While direct causal links, the area's relatively low crime rates may be influenced by its suburban layout, which could reduce opportunities for certain types of crime compared to denser urban centres.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in September 2024 was a 175% increase in bicycle theft, with incidents rising from 4 to 11. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with a 77.8% decline in robbery, which fell from 9 to 2. The shift in crime mix also highlights a significant 38.8% decrease in vehicle crime, a category that typically rises during summer months. Tunbridge Wells' violent crime rate (2.1 per 1,000) remains 20% below the UK average, a consistency that has persisted despite seasonal fluctuations. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour saw a 32% reduction compared to the UK average, a trend that may reflect local initiatives or community engagement efforts. For residents, the sharp rise in bicycle theft offers a specific insight: increased theft in this category may be linked to the start of the academic year, as students return to campus and local bike storage becomes more concentrated.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate in September 2024 fell by 20.5% compared to the previous month, dropping from 7.0 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in local policing reports. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 22 crimes per day in September, a figure that, while specific to Tunbridge Wells, provides a concrete measure of local activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 179 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. This rate is lower than the UK average, suggesting that the area's characteristics—potentially including its mix of urban and suburban landscapes—may contribute to this disparity. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that Tunbridge Wells' crime profile remains significantly below national benchmarks, a consistency that has persisted across multiple reporting periods.