Paddock Wood Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Paddock Wood's crime rate in July 2025 (9.9 per 1,000 residents) places it 15.1% above the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This built-up area within Tunbridge Wells, a commuter hub with retail and residential zones, reflects a crime profile shaped by seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences (26 cases, 32.1% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (20 cases, 24.7%) dominate, likely linked to the area's mix of high streets, leisure spaces, and summer events. Anti-social behaviour, at 2.4 per 1,000, is 55% above the UK average, a pattern consistent with areas experiencing increased foot traffic during peak summer months. Criminal damage and arson (11 cases, 113% above the UK average) may be influenced by local festivals or outdoor events. The seasonal context of July—schools out, tourism at its peak, and festivals—likely amplifies public order issues and anti-social conduct. While property crimes (28 cases) and violent crimes (26 cases) are relatively balanced, the disproportionate rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage suggests a need to monitor event-related pressures and community engagement strategies. The area’s character as a commuter suburb with retail and recreational spaces may contribute to these patterns, though further data would clarify direct correlations.

July 2025 saw sharp month-on-month increases in public order offences (150% rise from 2 to 5 cases) and theft from the person (100% increase from 0 to 2 cases), alongside a 100% rise in other theft (from 0 to 4 cases). These spikes may reflect the area’s summer activity, with festivals and events potentially contributing to public order challenges. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), and vehicle crime dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1), due to reduced foot traffic or temporary event-related closures. Anti-social behaviour remains 55% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson are 113% above the national rate, highlighting local vulnerabilities. Public order offences—now at 0.6 per 1,000—outpace the UK average by 6%, a figure that could inform policing priorities. Residents may find the 150% increase in public order cases particularly concerning, as it signals a shift in crime mix during the summer months.

Paddock Wood’s crime rate in July 2025 (9.9 per 1,000) represents a 14.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.7 per 1,000, a rise that, while modest, underscores a growing trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, when contextualised, translates to one reported crime for every 101 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while not alarmingly high, suggests that residents are not immune to the pressures of a bustling commuter suburb with seasonal fluctuations. The population of 8,188 means that the absolute number of crimes (81 total) is relatively low compared to larger urban centres, but the rate per capita places Paddock Wood above the UK average. This contrast with the UK national picture—where anti-social behaviour is 55% lower and criminal damage is 113% lower—highlights the unique challenges faced by this area. The combination of commuter activity, retail presence, and summer tourism likely amplifies local crime dynamics, even as national trends show declines in certain categories. Residents may find it useful to note that while the overall rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes remains manageable within the community’s scale.