Crime in Paddock Wood: statistics, rates and trends
841 crimes were recorded in Paddock Wood in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Paddock Wood at a glance
- Crime trends in Paddock Wood
- Types of crime in Paddock Wood
- Paddock Wood compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Paddock Wood
- Streets with the most crime in Paddock Wood
- What happened after crimes were reported in Paddock Wood
- Population and deprivation in Paddock Wood
- Questions about crime in Paddock Wood
- About this data
841 crimes were recorded in Paddock Wood in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 240 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Paddock Wood has the 483rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Paddock Wood | Tunbridge Wells | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 841 | 8,081 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 89.8 | 67.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +11% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 9,370 | 119,694 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Paddock Wood was highest in the year to July 2026 (841 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (638). Over the whole period it rose 31%, 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 | 841 | 89.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 759 | 81.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 752 | 80.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 829 | 88.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 638 | 68.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 724 | 77.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 716 | 76.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 721 | 76.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 640 | 68.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 78 |
| June 2026 | 69 |
| May 2026 | 73 |
| April 2026 | 67 |
| March 2026 | 89 |
| February 2026 | 100 |
| January 2026 | 64 |
| December 2025 | 63 |
| November 2025 | 71 |
| October 2025 | 52 |
| September 2025 | 49 |
| August 2025 | 66 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Paddock 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. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, other theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+192%) and vehicle crime (+46%). The largest falls were in drugs (-48%) and public order (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 240 | 25.6 | 0.75 | -9% |
| Shoplifting | 181 | 19.3 | 2.33 | +192% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 141 | 15.0 | 0.98 | +6% |
| Other theft | 75 | 8.0 | 1.25 | +19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 67 | 7.2 | 1.05 | -26% |
| Vehicle crime | 41 | 4.4 | 0.89 | +46% |
| Burglary | 29 | 3.1 | 0.88 | +81% |
| Public order | 26 | 2.8 | 0.42 | -33% |
| Other crime | 19 | 2.0 | 0.96 | -32% |
| Drugs | 12 | 1.3 | 0.39 | -48% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.5 | 0.55 | +0% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.4 | 0.32 | +300% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Paddock Wood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Paddock Wood recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 28.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Paddock Wood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Paddock Wood recorded 181 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 192% on the year before. It made up 21.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Paddock Wood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Paddock Wood recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 16.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Paddock Wood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Paddock Wood recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Paddock Wood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Paddock Wood recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Paddock Wood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Paddock Wood recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Paddock Wood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Paddock Wood recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 81% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Paddock Wood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Paddock Wood recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Paddock Wood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Paddock Wood recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Paddock Wood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Paddock Wood recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Paddock Wood
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Paddock Wood recorded 5 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Paddock Wood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Paddock Wood recorded 4 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 300% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Paddock Wood
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Paddock 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 1.7, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Paddock Wood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Paddock Wood.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Paddock Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembury | 479 | 82.5 | -8% |
| Tonbridge | 2,983 | 77.8 | -13% |
| Southborough | 511 | 47.2 | -47% |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells | 4,213 | 79.4 | -12% |
| Coxheath | 621 | 58.8 | -34% |
| Kings Hill | 447 | 44.4 | -50% |
| Staplehurst | 471 | 61.7 | -31% |
| Rusthall and Langton Green | 406 | 50.8 | -43% |
1 areas within Paddock Wood, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Paddock Wood had the highest rate (89.8 per 1,000) and Paddock Wood the lowest (89.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddock Wood | Neighbourhood | 9,370 | 841 | 89.8 |
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 Paddock Wood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 161 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 76 |
| On or near Bloxham Avenue | 47 |
| On or near Bowls Place | 45 |
| On or near Church Road | 32 |
| On or near Norton Close | 31 |
| On or near B2160 | 25 |
| On or near Mascalls Park | 21 |
| On or near Queen Street | 19 |
| On or near Kent Close | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Paddock 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 | 294 | 35.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 229 | 27.2% |
| Not recorded | 141 | 16.8% |
| Under investigation | 54 | 6.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 48 | 5.7% |
| Local resolution | 19 | 2.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 1.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 12 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Paddock Wood has an estimated population of 9,370. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Paddock Wood sits in decile 6.1, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Paddock Wood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.0% |
| Social rented homes | 14.9% |
| Private rented homes | 13.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.1 |
Is Paddock Wood a safe place to live?
Paddock Wood recorded 89.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Paddock Wood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (181).
Is crime in Paddock Wood going up or down?
Recorded crime in Paddock Wood was up 11% on the year before: 841 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 759 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Paddock Wood?
Paddock 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 Paddock Wood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.