Groombridge Crime Rate

Groombridge is an exceptionally safe and peaceful urban settlement within the Wealden local authority, offering a high degree of security for its 1,743 residents. The area boasts an outstanding safety score of 94/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. With an overall crime rate of only 20.1 per 1,000 people, Groombridge is far below the national average of 91.6. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a significant positive trend in safety, with a 34.0% decrease in total crimes over the last year. This data, covering Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, confirms that Groombridge is one of the most secure locations in the region, particularly regarding property-related offences, which are remarkably rare.

In Groombridge, the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 48.6% of all incidents at a rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by other theft (20.0%) and burglary (8.6%). These figures are exceptionally low by national standards, reflecting the area's quiet and secure nature.

When focusing on property crime—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle-related offences—Groombridge maintains a very low rate of 7.4 per 1,000 people. This is less than a quarter of the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Specifically, burglary accounts for 8.6% of total crime (1.7 per 1,000), and vehicle crime is at just 2.9%. For homeowners, this indicates that the risk of serious acquisitive crime is minimal. The primary property-related concern is 'other theft,' suggesting that opportunistic stealing of unsecured items is the main risk. However, with 40% of burglaries occurring at night, perimeter security remains an important consideration for residents.

Groombridge's crime trend is exceptionally positive, with a 34.0% year-over-year decrease in total reported incidents. This significant downward trend suggests that the area is becoming even safer over time. Analysis of the monthly trendData for 2025 reveals that the crime rate per 1,000 started at 3.4 in January and reached a peak of 2.9 in August and September. Other notable months include February and June, both recording 2.3 per 1,000. Conversely, March, July, and December saw the lowest activity of the year with rates of just 0.6 per 1,000. For residents, this overall decline in activity, combined with consistently low monthly rates, reinforces Groombridge's reputation as one of the most secure and peaceful communities in the region.

How To Keep Safe in Groombridge

The most common crime in Groombridge is violence and sexual offences, though this occurs at a rate much lower than the national average. To help maintain the safety of this community, consider the following advice:

• Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and tools are kept in locked sheds or garages, as 'other theft' is the most common property-related risk in the area.
• Be mindful of home security during the evening and night, as 71% of the area's few burglaries occur during these hours when natural surveillance is lower.
• Install motion-sensor lighting around the perimeter of your property to deter the 40% of burglaries and 21% of vehicle crimes that happen at night.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local Wealden police, as this helps maintain the village's high safety score and prevents minor issues from escalating.
• If you have outbuildings or garages, ensure they are fitted with robust locks, as these can be secondary targets for opportunistic theft in rural settlements.

Crime in Groombridge follows a distinct temporal pattern, with activity being most significant during the afternoon and evening hours. Morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 65-67% of all activity. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur during the day when properties may be unoccupied. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property security; despite low overall volume, 40% of burglaries and 21% of vehicle crimes occur during these hours. This indicates that homes and vehicles are most at risk when the village is quietest, highlighting the need for robust overnight security measures.

Groombridge is situated in one of the safest parts of the Sussex-Kent border. When compared to the nearby larger town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which has a crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000, Groombridge is significantly safer at 20.1. It is also much more secure than Rusthall and Langton Green (51.9). Several nearby hamlets, including Fordcombe, Bullingstone, and Hartfield, all report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small, rural populations. For residents, Groombridge offers a peaceful residential environment that is significantly quieter than the busier regional hubs, maintaining a level of safety comparable to the most rural hamlets.

With a property crime rate of just 7.4 per 1,000, Groombridge residents enjoy a very high level of security, but the presence of 'other theft' and occasional burglary means that preventative measures are still valuable. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they record footage of a crime as it happens. In a quiet area like Groombridge, proactive protection is a better choice. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to identify and stop threats at the property line. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your home's exterior, recognizing family members and regular visitors while flagging suspicious activity. If an unauthorized person is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights or audio alerts, deterring a potential thief before they even approach your home. This proactive approach is particularly effective against night-time burglary risk.