Crime in Otford and Kemsing: statistics, rates and trends
264 crimes were recorded in Otford and Kemsing in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 22% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Otford and Kemsing at a glance
- Crime trends in Otford and Kemsing
- Types of crime in Otford and Kemsing
- Otford and Kemsing compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Otford and Kemsing
- Streets with the most crime in Otford and Kemsing
- What happened after crimes were reported in Otford and Kemsing
- Population and deprivation in Otford and Kemsing
- Questions about crime in Otford and Kemsing
- About this data
264 crimes were recorded in Otford and Kemsing in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 22% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 74 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Otford and Kemsing has the 1,364th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Otford and Kemsing | Sevenoaks | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 264 | 7,691 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 35.4 | 62.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -22% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 7,468 | 122,748 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Otford and Kemsing was highest in the year to July 2020 (509 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (264). Over the whole period it fell 45%, 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 | 264 | 35.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 340 | 45.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 327 | 43.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 329 | 44.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 327 | 43.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 403 | 54.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 509 | 68.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 508 | 68.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 479 | 64.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 32 |
| June 2026 | 24 |
| May 2026 | 27 |
| April 2026 | 24 |
| March 2026 | 19 |
| February 2026 | 22 |
| January 2026 | 20 |
| December 2025 | 22 |
| November 2025 | 33 |
| October 2025 | 12 |
| September 2025 | 15 |
| August 2025 | 14 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Otford and Kemsing 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 (+46%) and other theft (+18%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-48%) and criminal damage and arson (-38%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 74 | 9.9 | 0.29 | -31% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 51 | 6.8 | 0.45 | +46% |
| Other theft | 33 | 4.4 | 0.69 | +18% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 3.3 | 0.68 | -48% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.4 | 0.68 | -36% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 18 | 2.4 | 0.36 | -38% |
| Shoplifting | 15 | 2.0 | 0.24 | -12% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.6 | 0.76 | -14% |
| Public order | 10 | 1.3 | 0.20 | -9% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.4 | 0.30 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 0.28 | -50% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.16 | +0% |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | -94% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Otford and Kemsing
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Otford and Kemsing recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 28.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Otford and Kemsing
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Otford and Kemsing recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 19.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Otford and Kemsing
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Otford and Kemsing recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Otford and Kemsing
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Otford and Kemsing recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Otford and Kemsing
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Otford and Kemsing recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Otford and Kemsing
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Otford and Kemsing recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Otford and Kemsing
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Otford and Kemsing recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Otford and Kemsing
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Otford and Kemsing recorded 12 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 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Otford and Kemsing
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Otford and Kemsing recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Otford and Kemsing
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Otford and Kemsing recorded 3 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 200% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Otford and Kemsing
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Otford and Kemsing recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Otford and Kemsing
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Otford and Kemsing 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Otford and Kemsing
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Otford and Kemsing recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 94% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Otford and Kemsing
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Otford and Kemsing 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Otford and Kemsing, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Otford and Kemsing.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Otford and Kemsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sevenoaks | 1,585 | 57.7 | +63% |
| West Kingsdown | 387 | 62.6 | +77% |
| Borough Green | 269 | 43.0 | +22% |
| Swanley | 1,654 | 89.1 | +152% |
| Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley | 1,068 | 62.3 | +76% |
| Tonbridge | 2,983 | 77.8 | +120% |
| Kings Hill | 447 | 44.4 | +26% |
| Dartford | 7,168 | 98.9 | +180% |
2 areas within Otford and Kemsing, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Otford and Shoreham had the highest rate (47.2 per 1,000) and Kemsing the lowest (28.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otford and Shoreham | Neighbourhood | 4,664 | 220 | 47.2 |
| Kemsing | Neighbourhood | 4,314 | 121 | 28.0 |
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 Otford and Kemsing over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 20 |
| On or near Park Lane | 16 |
| On or near Sevenoaks Road | 16 |
| On or near Noah'S Ark | 11 |
| On or near Norman Close | 10 |
| On or near Pilgrims' Way | 10 |
| On or near Shoreham Road | 10 |
| On or near The Charne | 9 |
| On or near Sherborne Grove | 8 |
| On or near Dynes Road | 7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Otford and Kemsing 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 | 99 | 37.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 66 | 25.0% |
| Not recorded | 51 | 19.3% |
| Under investigation | 17 | 6.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 15 | 5.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 2.3% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.8% |
Otford and Kemsing has an estimated population of 7,468. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Otford and Kemsing sits in decile 8.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Otford and Kemsing |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 83.1% |
| Social rented homes | 9.5% |
| Private rented homes | 7.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 |
Is Otford and Kemsing a safe place to live?
Otford and Kemsing recorded 35.4 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 Otford and Kemsing?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (51).
Is crime in Otford and Kemsing going up or down?
Recorded crime in Otford and Kemsing was down 22% on the year before: 264 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 340 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Otford and Kemsing?
Otford and Kemsing 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 Otford and Kemsing. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.