Paddock Wood Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Paddock Wood’s August 2024 crime profile reveals a distinct mix of offences that reflects both seasonal and local dynamics. The area’s overall crime rate of 10.9 per 1,000 residents—32.9% above the UK average—was driven by a concentration of property-related and public order crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 23.6% of all incidents, a category that, while the most common, remains slightly below the UK average (2.6 vs 2.7 per 1,000). This contrast may be explained by the area’s relatively stable residential character, where community cohesion could mitigate some forms of interpersonal violence. However, the sharp rise in property crimes, particularly criminal damage and arson (13 incidents, 158% above the UK average) and shoplifting (11 incidents, 83% above the UK average), suggests vulnerabilities tied to the town’s commercial and retail presence. August, as a peak holiday month, likely amplified these trends through increased foot traffic and unoccupied homes, factors that may heighten burglary risks. The area’s proximity to Tunbridge Wells, a larger market town, could also contribute to higher rates of vehicle crime (1.2 per 1,000, 167% above the UK average), due to commuter parking patterns or unsecured vehicles. These data points illustrate a crime picture shaped by both the town’s demographic composition and seasonal fluctuations, with property crime and public order issues emerging as key priorities for local authorities.

August 2024 brought stark changes in Paddock Wood’s crime profile, with public order offences increasing by 400% (from 2 to 10 incidents), vehicle crime rising by 233.3% (from 3 to 10), and criminal damage and arson jumping 116.7% (from 6 to 13). These spikes suggest a shift in the balance of crime types, with property-related issues and public disturbances becoming more pronounced. Vehicle crime in the area is 167% above the UK average (1.2 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a figure that may be linked to the area’s commuter traffic or lack of secure parking facilities. Meanwhile, violent crime (21 incidents) remains the most common category, though its rate (2.6 per 1,000) is 3% below the UK average. This contrast highlights the area’s unique challenges, where property crime surges despite relatively lower violent crime rates. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences—now accounting for 11.2% of total crimes—suggests a need for increased community engagement in addressing local disturbances.

Paddock Wood's crime rate in August 2024 (10.9 per 1,000 residents) marked a 56.2% increase compared to July's 7.0 per 1,000, reflecting a significant upward trend. This rise places the area 32.9% above the UK average, a gap that underscores the need for localized analysis. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately three crimes reported each day, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, suggests consistent community vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 92 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualized against the area’s population of 8,188, highlights the uneven distribution of incidents. This rate is higher than the UK average, but the local context—such as the town’s proximity to Tunbridge Wells and its mix of residential and commercial zones—may contribute to this disparity. The comparison also reveals that while violent crime rates in Paddock Wood (2.6 per 1,000) are slightly below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), property-related crimes like vehicle crime (1.2 per 1,000) are 167% above the UK rate, a discrepancy that may reflect local factors such as commuter traffic or unsecured parking areas.