Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Tunbridge Wells' crime profile in October 2025, accounting for 31.3% of all reported incidents. With an overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 27.3% below the UK average, a gap that underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts. This figure, while lower than the national average, must be contextualised within the area's unique characteristics. As a historic market town with a mix of urban and suburban environments, Tunbridge Wells likely experiences crime patterns shaped by its retail presence, community events, and seasonal rhythms. The dominance of violent crime may reflect the impact of darker evenings and Halloween-related activity. Anti-social behaviour (21.8% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (11.5%) also feature prominently, with the latter category seeing a 46.2% month-on-month increase. This spike may be influenced by the transition into autumn, when property-related incidents often rise due to increased outdoor activity and the timing of local festivals. Shoplifting and other theft categories remain significantly below UK averages, suggesting that retail security measures are effective in this area. The overall crime rate, while higher than the previous month's 4.9 per 1,000, still places Tunbridge Wells in the safer half of the UK's local authority districts. This profile is consistent with the area's character as a relatively low-crime, mixed-use community where public order issues and property crimes are less prevalent than in larger urban centres.

October 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons rising 57.1% (7 to 11 incidents) and criminal damage and arson increasing by 46.2% (52 to 76). These spikes may align with Halloween-related activity. Conversely, robbery and theft from the person both fell sharply, by 60% and 33.3% respectively, suggesting potential improvements in security measures or reduced opportunities for such crimes. Violence and sexual offences, which make up 31.3% of all crimes, remain 36% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, a gap that highlights the area's comparatively lower rates of violent crime. Anti-social behaviour also fell 5% below the UK average, though this category remains a significant contributor to the local crime picture. The 21 daily crimes reported in October provide a concrete benchmark for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, its frequency is lower than in many other parts of the country.

Tunbridge Wells' crime rate rose 12.8% from 4.9 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents in October 2025, marking the first increase in six months. While this remains 27.3% below the UK average, the shift reflects seasonal dynamics. With 21 crimes reported daily on average, the local figure underscores the persistent presence of crime in everyday life. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 180 residents, a ratio that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. This monthly exposure figure, while modest, suggests that residents are not frequently encountering crime in their immediate surroundings. The population context further illustrates that even with the 12.8% increase, Tunbridge Wells maintains a crime profile significantly safer than the UK average, particularly in categories like violence and anti-social behaviour where rates are lower. This contrast may reflect the area's mix of suburban and market town characteristics, which differ from the dense, high-density environments typical of major cities.