Pembury Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Pembury's crime rate in January 2026 reached 7.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure 11.8% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This elevation is driven primarily by a surge in violent crime, which accounted for 52.3% of all reported incidents—23 cases of violence and sexual offences alone. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 25.0% of total crimes, with both categories far exceeding UK averages. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, shorter days, and reduced retail footfall—may have contributed to this pattern. Violent crime in Pembury is 60% above the UK average for this category, while anti-social behaviour is 104% above, highlighting a significant disparity compared to national trends. These figures suggest a community grappling with persistent issues of aggression and disorder, potentially exacerbated by the area's character as a built-up part of Tunbridge Wells. The relatively low levels of property crime, with only 6 incidents reported (1.0 per 1,000), contrast sharply with the violence-dominated profile, indicating a possible shift in criminal activity away from theft and toward interpersonal conflict. This divergence from typical patterns—where property crime often dominates in similar urban areas—raises questions about local dynamics, such as demographic factors or the influence of nearby amenities. Residents should be particularly mindful of public spaces and community interactions, given the disproportionate focus on violent and anti-social offences. The data also reveals a paradox: while overall crime has decreased by 39.7% compared to December 2025, the most concerning categories have shown marked increases, suggesting a combination of factors that require targeted local responses.

January 2026 saw alarming increases in vehicle crime (+100%), bicycle theft (+100%), and drug-related offences (+100%), all of which rose from zero or single-figure counts in the prior month. These jumps, particularly in vehicle crime and bicycle theft, may signal heightened activity in local transport hubs or parking areas. Conversely, other theft and criminal damage and arson both fell sharply, with the latter declining by 75%—a trend consistent with reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. Violent crime remains a stark concern, with 23 incidents reported (4.0 per 1,000), 60% above the UK average for this category. This places Pembury in a precarious position relative to national benchmarks, particularly given the absence of similar spikes in property crime. Residents are advised to remain vigilant in high-traffic areas and secure vehicles and bicycles, as these categories have shown the most significant upward movement. The contrast between rising violent crime and falling property crime highlights shifting patterns that warrant closer attention from local authorities.

Pembury's crime rate in January 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents) represents a 39.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 12.6 per 1,000, marking a notable shift in local crime dynamics. This reduction aligns with typical post-holiday patterns, where shorter daylight hours and reduced retail activity may curb opportunities for certain offences. However, the drop in overall crime does not fully offset the spikes in specific categories, such as vehicle crime and drug-related incidents. On a daily basis, Pembury experienced approximately one reported crime per day in January, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area's vulnerability to targeted criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 131 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of risk for the community. This monthly exposure rate underscores the need for continued vigilance, particularly given the persistent elevation in violent crime relative to UK averages. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate has fallen, the concentration of certain crime types—particularly violence and anti-social behaviour—remains high compared to national trends.