Pembury Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Pembury during July 2024 reveals a distinct pattern shaped by seasonal and local factors. With a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents—19% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a relatively safe environment, though the distribution of crime types offers insight into community dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 51.3% of all reported incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average where such crimes make up 23% of the total. This overrepresentation may be influenced by the area’s built-up nature, where social interactions in public spaces during summer months could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Meanwhile, property crimes, though lower in absolute terms, showed a marked shift in composition: shoplifting and other thefts increased sharply, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage decreased. These fluctuations align with the peak of the summer season, when tourism and local festivals likely drive foot traffic to retail and leisure areas, creating opportunities for theft. The absence of significant spikes in burglary or vehicle crime, which both remained below UK averages, suggests that traditional urban crime patterns are less pronounced here, due to effective policing or the area’s smaller scale. This data underscores the importance of situational factors in shaping crime trends, with Pembury’s unique blend of residential and commercial activity playing a critical role in determining the balance of criminal activity.

July 2024 saw a significant surge in 'other theft' cases, which doubled from zero to six, marking a 100% increase. This rise, alongside a 100% increase in shoplifting and vehicle crime, indicates a shift in criminal activity towards property-related offences during the summer months. Violent crimes decreased by 9.1%, falling from 22 to 20.3% of all reported crimes—a share significantly higher than the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained 31% below the UK average, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 83.3%, suggesting a possible reduction in disorder-related incidents during the peak summer season. For residents, the sharp increase in shoplifting may warrant heightened vigilance in retail areas, particularly as tourism and local events bring more foot traffic to the area.

Pembury's crime rate remained stable at 6.8 per 1,000 residents in July 2024, matching the rate recorded in the previous month. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local crime patterns, though seasonal factors may still influence activity levels. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day over the 31-day period, a figure that aligns with typical summer rhythms in a built-up area within Tunbridge Wells. When scaled to the population of 5,777, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 148 residents. This relatively low exposure, combined with the area’s built-up character, positions Pembury as a safer environment compared to the UK average. The population context further highlights that crime here is distributed across a smaller, more densely populated footprint than the national average, which may reflect differences in urban planning, community engagement, or policing strategies specific to the region.