Crime in Palace Wood: statistics, rates and trends
236 crimes were recorded in Palace Wood in the 12 months to July 2026, 32.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Palace Wood at a glance
- Crime trends in Palace Wood
- Types of crime in Palace Wood
- Palace Wood compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Palace Wood
- What happened after crimes were reported in Palace Wood
- Population and deprivation in Palace Wood
- Questions about crime in Palace Wood
- About this data
236 crimes were recorded in Palace Wood in the 12 months to July 2026, 32.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 76 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Palace Wood has the 3,712th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Palace Wood | Maidstone | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 236 | 16,230 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 32.2 | 86.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 7,320 | 187,767 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Palace Wood was highest in the year to July 2021 (275 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (213). Over the whole period it rose 6%, 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 | 236 | 32.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 250 | 34.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 230 | 31.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 224 | 30.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 250 | 34.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 275 | 37.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 213 | 29.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 255 | 34.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 222 | 30.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 22 |
| June 2026 | 17 |
| May 2026 | 26 |
| April 2026 | 23 |
| March 2026 | 21 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 17 |
| December 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 14 |
| October 2025 | 14 |
| September 2025 | 18 |
| August 2025 | 30 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Palace Wood 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 criminal damage and arson (+33%) and anti-social behaviour (+28%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-45%) and violence and sexual offences (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 76 | 10.4 | 0.30 | -19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 59 | 8.1 | 0.53 | +28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 3.8 | 0.56 | +33% |
| Other theft | 19 | 2.6 | 0.41 | +46% |
| Shoplifting | 12 | 1.6 | 0.20 | -45% |
| Public order | 11 | 1.5 | 0.23 | -15% |
| Other crime | 9 | 1.2 | 0.58 | -18% |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.0 | 0.29 | +40% |
| Vehicle crime | 7 | 1.0 | 0.19 | -42% |
| Burglary | 5 | 0.7 | 0.19 | -29% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.17 | -50% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.14 | -67% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Palace Wood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Palace Wood recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 32.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Palace Wood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Palace Wood recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 25.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Palace Wood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Palace Wood recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Palace Wood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Palace Wood recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Palace Wood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Palace Wood recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Palace Wood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Palace Wood recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Palace Wood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Palace Wood recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Palace Wood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Palace Wood recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Palace Wood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Palace Wood recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Palace Wood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Palace Wood recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Palace Wood
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Palace Wood 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Palace Wood
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Palace Wood recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Palace Wood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Palace Wood recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Palace Wood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Palace Wood.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Palace Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allington & Bridge | 724 | 86.1 | +167% |
| Fant & Oakwood | 1,276 | 101.3 | +214% |
| Barming Heath & Teston | 948 | 110.8 | +244% |
| Penenden Heath | 1,214 | 78.7 | +144% |
| Tovil | 457 | 69.7 | +116% |
| High Street | 3,264 | 282.2 | +775% |
| Grove Green & Vinters Park | 402 | 49.8 | +54% |
| Loose & Linton | 645 | 61.7 | +91% |
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 Palace Wood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Cranford Road | 19 |
| On or near London Road | 13 |
| On or near Brunell Close | 13 |
| On or near Clement Court | 10 |
| On or near Bramshott Close | 10 |
| On or near Queensgate | 10 |
| On or near Chestnut Road | 10 |
| On or near Trapham Road | 9 |
| On or near Chapelfield Way | 8 |
| On or near Juniper Close | 7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Palace Wood 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 | 67 | 28.4% |
| Not recorded | 59 | 25.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 55 | 23.3% |
| Under investigation | 13 | 5.5% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 4.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 7 | 3.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 2.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% |
Palace Wood has an estimated population of 7,320. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Palace Wood sits in decile 10.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Palace Wood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 88.7% |
| Social rented homes | 2.3% |
| Private rented homes | 8.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 10.0 |
Is Palace Wood a safe place to live?
Palace Wood recorded 32.2 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 Palace Wood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (59).
Is crime in Palace Wood going up or down?
Recorded crime in Palace Wood was down 6% on the year before: 236 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 250 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Palace Wood?
Palace Wood 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 Palace Wood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.