Paddock Wood Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 in Paddock Wood revealed a crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents, 10% above the UK average of 7.0. The most striking anomaly was the surge in shoplifting, which reached 11 incidents (17.5% of total crimes) at a rate of 1.3 per 1,000—128% above the UK average. This category's sharp increase aligns with the Christmas shopping peak, a period when retail areas experience heightened foot traffic and extended trading hours. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 23 incidents (36.5% of total crimes), with a rate of 2.8 per 1,000—9% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 8 incidents (12.7% of total), also exceeded the UK average by 8%. The seasonal context of December, marked by dark evenings and holiday closures, may have contributed to these patterns, though the exact interplay between environmental factors and crime remains complex. While property crimes (28 total) slightly outnumbered violent crimes (23 total), the overall balance between the two categories was relatively even, reflecting a mixed crime profile typical of a built-up area within a larger town. The data suggests that Paddock Wood's crime picture is shaped by its proximity to Tunbridge Wells' retail and commercial hubs, which may drive both shoplifting and anti-social behaviour during periods of high activity.

December 2025 saw a 175% surge in shoplifting cases, rising from 4 to 11 incidents. This sharp increase positions shoplifting as the second most common crime category, with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents—128% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Concurrently, burglary cases doubled from 0 to 5, marking a 100% month-on-month increase. These trends contrast with declines in other theft (down 91.7%) and anti-social behaviour (down 60.0%), which may reflect seasonal shifts in community activity. Public order offences also rose by 100%, though they remain below the UK average. For residents, the spike in shoplifting underscores the need for vigilance during the Christmas shopping peak, a period when retail areas see heightened foot traffic and potential for opportunistic theft.

Paddock Wood's crime rate in December 2025 (7.7 per 1,000 residents) reflects an 11.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.7 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as December's darker evenings and holiday closures may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. Locally, the monthly exposure figure shows that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 130 residents. This translates to a daily average of approximately two crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When compared to the UK average, Paddock Wood's overall rate remains 10% higher, though the month-on-month reduction suggests some stabilisation. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area's crime rate, while above national averages, has shown a notable downward trend in recent weeks, potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the Christmas period.