Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells maintained its position as one of the UK's safer local authority districts in July 2025, with a crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents—24.4% below the national average of 8.6. This figure, while showing a 26.9% month-on-month increase from June's 5.1, remains firmly in the lower quartile of UK crime rates. The town's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.6% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.0%) and shoplifting (9.7%). These patterns are consistent with Tunbridge Wells' character as a historic market town with a mix of residential and retail areas, where public spaces and high streets are focal points for both community activity and potential criminal opportunities. The rise in violence and sexual offences may be partly explained by the summer season's impact on social interactions, with festivals and open-air events increasing foot traffic in public areas. Anti-social behaviour's prominence could be attributed to the same seasonal factors, as well as the town's historic infrastructure, which may limit the capacity for large-scale community events. Shoplifting's persistence reflects the presence of retail hubs, though the rate remains 8% below the UK average. The town's overall crime picture illustrates a balance between its relatively low crime rates and the challenges posed by seasonal fluctuations and local demographics.

July 2025 saw a significant spike in public order offences, with an 87.1% month-on-month increase to 58 incidents, the highest category after violence and sexual offences. This surge aligns with the town's seasonal context of summer festivals and outdoor events, which may have contributed to heightened public interactions. Bicycle theft also rose sharply, doubling to two incidents, a 100% increase from the previous month, potentially linked to increased cycling during warmer weather. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes fell by 29.2% to 17 incidents, a reduction that may reflect seasonal shifts in illicit activity patterns. The town's violent crime category, which accounts for 37.6% of all reported crimes, rose by 42.6% to 291 incidents, a figure that remains 21% below the UK average for this category. These shifts highlight the combination of local events and crime trends, with public order and violent offences showing marked increases while drug-related incidents declined.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate in July 2025 rose to 6.5 per 1,000 residents, a 26.9% increase from the previous month's 5.1. This upward trend contrasts with the area's overall position as one of the UK's safer local authority districts, with a crime rate 24.4% below the national average of 8.6. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 25 reported crimes, a figure that, while lower than the UK's average daily rate, reflects the town's unique dynamics. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 155 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK's broader context. This statistic, when considered alongside Tunbridge Wells' population of 119,694, underscores the town's position as a place where residents are less likely to encounter crime than the national average, despite the recent month-on-month increase. The population-scaled perspective suggests that while the rise in crime is notable, it remains proportionally modest within the local context.