Crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence: statistics, rates and trends
541 crimes were recorded in Headcorn & Sutton Valence in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence at a glance
- Crime trends in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- Types of crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- Headcorn & Sutton Valence compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- What happened after crimes were reported in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- Population and deprivation in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- Questions about crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
- About this data
541 crimes were recorded in Headcorn & Sutton Valence in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 191 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Headcorn & Sutton Valence has the 2,384th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Headcorn & Sutton Valence | Maidstone | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 541 | 16,230 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 66.3 | 86.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 8,158 | 187,767 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence was highest in the year to July 2020 (726 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (541). Over the whole period it fell 9%, 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 | 541 | 66.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 581 | 71.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 679 | 83.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 642 | 78.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 603 | 73.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 595 | 72.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 726 | 89.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 615 | 75.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 597 | 73.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 50 |
| June 2026 | 49 |
| May 2026 | 40 |
| April 2026 | 60 |
| March 2026 | 47 |
| February 2026 | 39 |
| January 2026 | 40 |
| December 2025 | 47 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 44 |
| September 2025 | 49 |
| August 2025 | 42 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Headcorn & Sutton Valence 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. Rates were well above the national level for other crime.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+21%). The largest falls were in violence and sexual offences (-25%) and other crime (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 191 | 23.4 | 0.68 | -25% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 115 | 14.1 | 0.92 | +21% |
| Other theft | 61 | 7.5 | 1.17 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 51 | 6.3 | 0.92 | -6% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 2.9 | 0.36 | +33% |
| Other crime | 22 | 2.7 | 1.28 | -15% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.2 | 0.62 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 2.2 | 0.45 | -14% |
| Public order | 16 | 2.0 | 0.30 | -6% |
| Drugs | 14 | 1.7 | 0.52 | +27% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.6 | 0.45 | +150% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.5 | 0.50 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -75% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 191 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 35.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 21.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 14 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 up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Headcorn & Sutton Valence
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Headcorn & Sutton Valence, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Headcorn & Sutton Valence.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Headcorn & Sutton Valence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staplehurst | 471 | 61.7 | -7% |
| Leeds & Langley | 632 | 66.6 | +0% |
| Boughton Monchelsea & Chart Sutton | 146 | 46.2 | -30% |
| Park Wood & Mangravet | 1,070 | 112.7 | +70% |
| Harrietsham, Lenham & North Downs | 826 | 80.1 | +21% |
| Shepway | 1,285 | 102.0 | +54% |
| Bearsted & Downswood | 353 | 36.3 | -45% |
| Loose & Linton | 645 | 61.7 | -7% |
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 Headcorn & Sutton Valence over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 51 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 41 |
| On or near Lenham Road | 25 |
| On or near North Street | 25 |
| On or near Headcorn Road | 23 |
| On or near Ashleigh Gardens | 20 |
| On or near Ash Way | 15 |
| On or near Court Broomes | 14 |
| On or near Brooklands | 11 |
| On or near A274 | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Headcorn & Sutton Valence 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 | 182 | 33.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 148 | 27.4% |
| Not recorded | 115 | 21.3% |
| Under investigation | 34 | 6.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 26 | 4.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 1.1% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.7% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.2% |
Headcorn & Sutton Valence has an estimated population of 8,158. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Headcorn & Sutton Valence sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Headcorn & Sutton Valence |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.3% |
| Social rented homes | 10.7% |
| Private rented homes | 14.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
Is Headcorn & Sutton Valence a safe place to live?
Headcorn & Sutton Valence recorded 66.3 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 Headcorn & Sutton Valence?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 191 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (115).
Is crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence going up or down?
Recorded crime in Headcorn & Sutton Valence was down 7% on the year before: 541 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 581 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Headcorn & Sutton Valence?
Headcorn & Sutton Valence 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 Headcorn & Sutton Valence. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.