Royal Tunbridge Wells Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Royal Tunbridge Wells, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, indicate a crime rate of 79.7 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is slightly below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. The area’s safety score of 82/100 further reinforces this assessment. However, it’s important to note that the composition of crime varies, with violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent type of incident. A positive trend is emerging, with crime decreasing by 10.9% year-on-year, indicating a potential improvement in safety and security within the community. Understanding these statistics is crucial for residents and stakeholders alike.

The most significant contributors to crime statistics in Royal Tunbridge Wells over the period of Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 are violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.9% of all recorded incidents. These were followed by anti-social behaviour (18.9%) and shoplifting (13.5%). Overall property crime in the area stands at a rate of 28.3 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson represent a further 8.3% of incidents, while other theft contributes 6.5%. The prevalence of these crime types highlights the varied challenges facing the community and the need for targeted interventions. A deeper understanding of the underlying causes, such as socioeconomic factors and local demographics, is essential for developing effective crime prevention strategies.

The observed decrease in crime rates, representing a 10.9% year-on-year reduction, suggests a positive shift in the safety landscape of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations, with crime rates generally remaining between 5.8 and 7.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. While there are slight increases in some months, such as May (6.8 per 1,000) and July (7.5 per 1,000), the overall trend demonstrates a consistent downward trajectory, indicating the effectiveness of ongoing crime prevention measures and community initiatives.

How To Keep Safe in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s advisable to be particularly vigilant when out alone, especially at night. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas and consider using well-populated routes. Due to the frequency of shoplifting incidents, be mindful of your belongings when shopping and avoid leaving valuables unattended. With vehicle crime a concern, always park in well-lit areas and consider using a steering wheel lock. Finally, be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Criminal activity in Royal Tunbridge Wells exhibits a pattern influenced by the time of day. Burglary incidents are most frequently reported during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 14% of occurrences. Theft is prevalent throughout the afternoon (12pm - 6pm) and evening (6pm - 12am), indicating a potential link to commercial activity and leisure hours. Vehicle crime tends to be higher during the overnight hours (12am - 6am), suggesting opportunistic targeting. Violence and sexual offences are more likely to occur during the evening hours (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekends, highlighting the importance of enhanced vigilance during those times.

Royal Tunbridge Wells’ crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000 residents is lower than that of Southborough (51.0 per 1,000) and Rusthall and Langton Green (51.9 per 1,000), suggesting a relatively safer environment in those areas. However, the rate is significantly higher than Speldhurst (20.8 per 1,000) and considerably above Bullingstone (0.0 per 1,000), which experiences minimal crime. These comparisons highlight the variability in crime levels across the region and underscore the importance of local crime prevention initiatives.

Traditional CCTV systems often record incidents after they’ve occurred, offering little in the way of proactive prevention. scOS, on the other hand, operates as an AI-powered home security operating system that detects potential threats at your property boundary before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence system monitors all cameras simultaneously, and its DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles. Recognising your family and delivery schedules, scOS only alerts you to genuine threats, providing an element of surprise to potential intruders. The visible presence of scOS can act as a significant deterrent, making that crucial 60-second decision for potential burglars – to move on. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually preventing threats at your property line is another.