The question of how Southborough's crime rate compares to Royal Tunbridge Wells is a common one, and the answer is quite clear: Southborough is considerably safer. Based on available data, Southborough, which is part of the Tunbridge Wells Built-Up Area (BUA), has a crime rate of 51.0 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than Royal Tunbridge Wells, which reports a crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000 residents. To put this in perspective, the national average crime rate for the UK is 91.6 per 1,000 people.
This difference in crime rates suggests that Southborough experiences considerably fewer crimes per person than its neighbouring town. The population of Southborough itself is 10,560, highlighting that while the absolute number of crimes might vary, the rate – the number of crimes relative to the population – is the more meaningful comparison. Nearby areas like Bidborough (17.5 per 1,000) and Speldhurst (20.8 per 1,000) also demonstrate lower crime rates than Royal Tunbridge Wells, further establishing Southborough as a relatively safe location within the Tunbridge Wells district. Bullingstone’s recorded crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 is exceptionally low, but should be considered with caution as data may be limited.
Furthermore, Southborough boasts a safety score of 88 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average of 79. This safety score is a composite measure that likely incorporates factors beyond just reported crime statistics, such as perceptions of safety and the presence of community initiatives. While these figures provide a helpful overview, it's important to remember that crime statistics can fluctuate over time. Understanding these numbers provides a valuable baseline for assessing the relative safety of these areas.