Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate in July 2025 stood at 6.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 24.4% below the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This performance reflects a broader trend in the area's relatively low crime profile, consistent with its character as a mix of historic market town and suburban expansion. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.6% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (20.0%) and shoplifting (9.7%). These figures contrast with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (3.0 per 1,000), where Tunbridge Wells recorded 2.4 per 1,000 — 21% below the national benchmark. Seasonal factors likely influenced these patterns, with July's peak tourism season and summer festivals potentially contributing to increased social interactions in public spaces. The area's lower rates of property crime compared to the UK average (231 property crimes vs. higher national figures) may reflect a combination of effective local policing and the town's compact layout, which limits opportunities for large-scale theft. However, the dominance of violent crime as the leading category raises questions about the impact of summer-specific dynamics, such as increased alcohol consumption at open-air events or the presence of transient populations during festival periods. The data suggests that while Tunbridge Wells remains a safer area than the UK average, targeted interventions may be needed to address the rise in violent incidents during peak tourist months.

July 2025 saw notable month-on-month changes in crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences increasing by 42.6% (from 204 to 291 incidents). This sharp rise may be linked to the summer festival season, which brings larger crowds to the town's historic High Street and surrounding parks. Public order offences also surged by 87.1% (31 to 58), potentially reflecting the challenges of managing large gatherings in confined spaces. Bicycle theft, though a small category, saw a 100% increase (from 0 to 2 incidents), due to the influx of visitors using bikes for short trips during events. Conversely, several categories showed declines: drug-related crimes fell by 29.2% (24 to 17), which could indicate the effectiveness of recent anti-drug campaigns or the temporary displacement of illicit activity during the busy season. Other crime decreased by 21.1% (19 to 15), and robbery fell by 20.0% (5 to 4), though these reductions may be partly attributable to the seasonal shift in population dynamics. The town's performance on certain categories, such as theft from the person (100% below UK average) and vehicle crime (74% below), suggests that its relatively low density and strong community policing contribute to a safer environment for residents. However, the significant increase in violent crime highlights a need for ongoing vigilance in managing public safety during peak tourist periods.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate in July 2025 (6.5 per 1,000) represents a 26.9% increase from the previous month's rate of 5.1 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 25 crimes per day in July, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 155 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 115 residents. The population-scaled perspective underscores Tunbridge Wells' status as a relatively safe area, particularly when compared to larger urban centres with higher population densities. However, the month-on-month increase in violent crime suggests that the local environment may be more vulnerable during periods of heightened social activity. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of victimisation remains low, the summer months may require additional caution in public spaces. The comparison to the UK average also highlights the importance of local factors — such as the town's compact layout, strong community engagement, and seasonal tourism management — in maintaining lower crime levels. These elements likely contribute to the area's ability to sustain a crime rate that is consistently below the national benchmark, even as specific categories like violence and sexual offences see temporary spikes during peak tourist months.