Rusthall and Langton Green Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences in Rusthall and Langton Green were 66% below the UK average, a striking outlier in an area already recording 2.9 crimes per 1,000 residents—62.3% below the national rate of 7.7. This built-up area within Tunbridge Wells, a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail zones, saw 7 incidents of violence and sexual offences in September, compared to the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The low rate may partly reflect the area's relatively small population (7,973) and the seasonal context of September, when back-to-school routines and shorter evenings could reduce opportunities for late-night incidents. Property crimes, at 10 incidents (10.8% of total), and anti-social behaviour, at 5 cases (5.3% of total), formed the next most common categories. The area’s crime profile contrasts sharply with UK trends, where property crimes typically dominate. This data aligns with Rusthall’s character as a low-density, largely residential area with limited nightlife, where community policing and local initiatives may contribute to lower rates of violent crime. However, the 43% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average—6 cases in September—suggests a need for targeted attention to vandalism in public spaces.

September 2024 saw significant month-on-month reductions in violence and sexual offences (-72.0%), anti-social behaviour (-64.3%), and public order incidents (-50.0%), reflecting a marked shift in the crime mix. The decline in violence, from 25 incidents in August to 7, aligns with seasonal factors such as the start of the school term, which may reduce opportunities for alcohol-fuelled incidents. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson remained 43% above the UK average, with 6 cases recorded—highlighting a persistent local issue that may be linked to the area’s proximity to open spaces or underutilised infrastructure. Anti-social behaviour, though down from 14 to 5 incidents, still accounted for 21.7% of total crimes, underscoring its role as a recurring concern. Residents may find the 23 total crimes reported in September—roughly 1 per day—particularly noteworthy, as this reflects a level of safety that is uncommon in comparable UK areas. The low rate of vehicle crime (33% below the UK average) and burglary (3% below the UK average) further reinforces the area’s distinct profile, where property crime is less prevalent than in many urban centres.

The crime rate in September 2024 (2.9 per 1,000) represents a 66.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.7 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant monthly drops recorded in recent data. This decline translates to a daily crime count of approximately 1 incident per day in Rusthall and Langton Green, a figure that is unusually low for an area of this size. Over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 347 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is far below the national average. This stark contrast with the UK context, where the average resident faces a 1-in-130 chance of being a victim of crime, highlights the area’s unique safety profile. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Rusthall is less than half that of the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s rural-adjacent character and limited commercial activity. While the previous month’s spike in crime may have been influenced by transient factors such as summer holidays or increased foot traffic, the September data suggests a return to a more stable pattern, likely supported by local policing strategies and the area’s inherent low population density.