Crime in Tunbridge Wells: statistics, rates and trends
8,081 crimes were recorded in Tunbridge Wells in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Tunbridge Wells at a glance
- Crime trends in Tunbridge Wells
- Types of crime in Tunbridge Wells
- Tunbridge Wells compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Tunbridge Wells
- Streets with the most crime in Tunbridge Wells
- What happened after crimes were reported in Tunbridge Wells
- Population and deprivation in Tunbridge Wells
- Questions about crime in Tunbridge Wells
- About this data
8,081 crimes were recorded in Tunbridge Wells in the 12 months to July 2026, 67.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,674 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Tunbridge Wells has the 230th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 8,081 | 145,448 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 67.5 | 88.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 119,694 | 1,639,029 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Tunbridge Wells was highest in the year to July 2020 (9,896 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (7,996). Over the whole period it fell 18%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 8,081 | 67.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 7,996 | 66.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 9,244 | 77.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 8,898 | 74.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 8,974 | 75.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 9,473 | 79.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 9,896 | 82.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,525 | 79.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 9,808 | 81.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 758 |
| June 2026 | 675 |
| May 2026 | 667 |
| April 2026 | 682 |
| March 2026 | 631 |
| February 2026 | 676 |
| January 2026 | 655 |
| December 2025 | 707 |
| November 2025 | 672 |
| October 2025 | 664 |
| September 2025 | 589 |
| August 2025 | 705 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Tunbridge Wells over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+28%) and possession of weapons (+19%). The largest falls were in other crime (-14%) and public order (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,674 | 22.3 | 0.65 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,610 | 13.5 | 0.88 | +28% |
| Shoplifting | 964 | 8.1 | 0.97 | +12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 724 | 6.0 | 0.89 | -3% |
| Other theft | 607 | 5.1 | 0.79 | +5% |
| Public order | 358 | 3.0 | 0.45 | -13% |
| Vehicle crime | 299 | 2.5 | 0.51 | -10% |
| Burglary | 253 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -5% |
| Drugs | 209 | 1.7 | 0.53 | -1% |
| Other crime | 195 | 1.6 | 0.77 | -14% |
| Possession of weapons | 74 | 0.6 | 0.64 | +19% |
| Robbery | 47 | 0.4 | 0.29 | +18% |
| Bicycle theft | 37 | 0.3 | 0.38 | +9% |
| Theft from the person | 30 | 0.3 | 0.15 | +15% |
Violence and sexual offences in Tunbridge Wells
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Tunbridge Wells recorded 2,674 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 33.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Tunbridge Wells
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Tunbridge Wells recorded 1,610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 19.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Tunbridge Wells
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Tunbridge Wells recorded 964 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Tunbridge Wells
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Tunbridge Wells recorded 724 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Tunbridge Wells
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Tunbridge Wells recorded 607 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Tunbridge Wells
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Tunbridge Wells recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Tunbridge Wells
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Tunbridge Wells recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Tunbridge Wells
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Tunbridge Wells recorded 253 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Tunbridge Wells
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Tunbridge Wells recorded 209 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Tunbridge Wells
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Tunbridge Wells recorded 195 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Tunbridge Wells
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Tunbridge Wells recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Tunbridge Wells
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Tunbridge Wells recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Tunbridge Wells
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Tunbridge Wells recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Tunbridge Wells
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Tunbridge Wells recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Tunbridge Wells, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Tunbridge Wells.
29 areas within Tunbridge Wells, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Park had the highest rate (117.9 per 1,000) and Speldhurst the lowest (22.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Neighbourhood | 7,599 | 896 | 117.9 |
| Cranbrook (Tunbridge Wells) | Town | 4,080 | 405 | 99.3 |
| Culverden | Neighbourhood | 8,635 | 786 | 91.0 |
| Sherwood | Neighbourhood | 11,446 | 1,028 | 89.8 |
| Paddock Wood | Town | 9,370 | 841 | 89.8 |
| Paddock Wood | Neighbourhood | 9,370 | 841 | 89.8 |
| Pembury | Town | 5,805 | 479 | 82.5 |
| Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden | Neighbourhood | 7,889 | 631 | 80.0 |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells | Town | 53,052 | 4,213 | 79.4 |
| Pantiles | Neighbourhood | 9,711 | 726 | 74.8 |
| Pembury & Capel | Neighbourhood | 8,256 | 601 | 72.8 |
| High Brooms | Neighbourhood | 4,463 | 305 | 68.3 |
| Hartley | Town | 1,395 | 92 | 65.9 |
| Hawkhurst | Town | 5,202 | 290 | 55.7 |
| St James' | Neighbourhood | 8,548 | 456 | 53.3 |
| Rusthall and Langton Green | Town | 7,996 | 406 | 50.8 |
| Five Oak Green | Town | 2,451 | 122 | 49.8 |
| Lamberhurst | Town | 1,632 | 78 | 47.8 |
| Southborough | Town | 10,820 | 511 | 47.2 |
| Rusthall & Speldhurst | Neighbourhood | 9,331 | 436 | 46.7 |
| Hawkhurst, Sandhurst & Benenden | Neighbourhood | 8,963 | 408 | 45.5 |
| St John's | Neighbourhood | 5,720 | 223 | 39.0 |
| Rural Tunbridge Wells | Neighbourhood | 10,348 | 397 | 38.4 |
| Sandhurst (Tunbridge Wells) | Town | 1,447 | 54 | 37.3 |
| Southborough & Bidborough | Neighbourhood | 9,415 | 347 | 36.9 |
| Benenden | Town | 2,314 | 64 | 27.7 |
| Horsmonden | Town | 1,850 | 51 | 27.6 |
| Bidborough | Town | 1,665 | 43 | 25.8 |
| Speldhurst | Town | 1,335 | 30 | 22.5 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Tunbridge Wells over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 520 |
| On or near Parking Area | 419 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 401 |
| On or near Supermarket | 153 |
| On or near Newton Road | 119 |
| On or near Linden Park Road | 107 |
| On or near Causton Road | 107 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 89 |
| On or near High Street | 88 |
| On or near Monson Road | 80 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Tunbridge Wells over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,489 | 30.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2,252 | 27.9% |
| Not recorded | 1,610 | 19.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 463 | 5.7% |
| Under investigation | 461 | 5.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 221 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 175 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 167 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 128 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 54 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 43 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.1% |
Tunbridge Wells has an estimated population of 119,694. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Tunbridge Wells sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Tunbridge Wells |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.2% |
| Social rented homes | 14.6% |
| Private rented homes | 19.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
Is Tunbridge Wells a safe place to live?
Tunbridge Wells recorded 67.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Tunbridge Wells?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,674 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,610).
Is crime in Tunbridge Wells going up or down?
Recorded crime in Tunbridge Wells was up 1% on the year before: 8,081 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 7,996 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Tunbridge Wells?
Tunbridge Wells is policed by Kent. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Tunbridge Wells. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.