Southborough Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Southborough's built-up area, 4.7 crimes were reported in May 2025—a rate 42% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This per-capita perspective places the area's crime risk in stark contrast to the national picture, where residents face nearly double the likelihood of encountering crime. The most common category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (10%) and other theft (10%). These figures align with the area's characteristics as a semi-urban part of Tunbridge Wells, where social hubs and public spaces may contribute to the prevalence of violent and disorderly incidents. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—likely plays a role in the higher incidence of violent crimes and anti-social behaviour. However, this does not detract from the overall safety profile, as Southborough's crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average. The relatively low levels of property crime, such as burglary (2.0% of total incidents) and vehicle crime (6.0%), further highlight the area's distinct crime profile, which contrasts with the national trend of higher property-related offences. The combination of a stable population and targeted policing efforts may also contribute to this lower risk environment.

May 2025 saw a stark surge in anti-social behaviour, jumping from 1 to 5 incidents—a 400% increase—possibly linked to the extended evenings and increased public gatherings typical of this time of year. Vehicle crime also rose sharply, doubling from 1 to 3 (200% increase), a trend that may partly reflect the growing number of parked vehicles in residential areas during warmer weather. Conversely, burglary and drug-related crimes both halved, with burglary dropping from 3 to 1 (66.7% decrease) and drug offences falling from 2 to 1 (50% decrease). Violent crimes, which account for 48% of all reported incidents, remain 19% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. This contrast with the UK's higher violent crime rate underscores Southborough's relatively safer environment, even as localised spikes in certain categories require attention.

Southborough's crime rate in May 2025 rose 21.9% compared to April's 3.9 per 1,000, reaching 4.7 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 2 crimes reported per day across the built-up area's 10,560 residents. While this increase may reflect seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 211 residents—a figure that contextualises the risk on a personal scale. This monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, which for 2025 is 8.1 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective highlights that even with the 21.9% increase, residents face a much lower risk compared to the national picture. The daily crime count, while a small number, serves as a reminder that crime is not evenly distributed across the UK, with Southborough's built-up area maintaining a safer profile relative to other regions.