Crime in Pembury: statistics, rates and trends
479 crimes were recorded in Pembury in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 25% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Pembury at a glance
- Crime trends in Pembury
- Types of crime in Pembury
- Pembury compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Pembury
- Streets with the most crime in Pembury
- What happened after crimes were reported in Pembury
- Population and deprivation in Pembury
- Questions about crime in Pembury
- About this data
479 crimes were recorded in Pembury in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 25% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 220 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Pembury has the 573rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Pembury | Tunbridge Wells | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 479 | 8,081 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 82.5 | 67.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +25% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 5,805 | 119,694 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Pembury was highest in the year to July 2019 (555 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (383). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 479 | 82.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 383 | 66.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 531 | 91.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 485 | 83.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 530 | 91.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 491 | 84.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 450 | 77.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 555 | 95.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 485 | 83.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 52 |
| June 2026 | 32 |
| May 2026 | 38 |
| April 2026 | 36 |
| March 2026 | 53 |
| February 2026 | 53 |
| January 2026 | 44 |
| December 2025 | 73 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 24 |
| September 2025 | 17 |
| August 2025 | 28 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Pembury 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 (+200%) and public order (+54%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-57%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 220 | 37.9 | 1.11 | +13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 102 | 17.6 | 1.15 | +200% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 37 | 6.4 | 0.94 | +12% |
| Public order | 37 | 6.4 | 0.96 | +54% |
| Other theft | 31 | 5.3 | 0.84 | +15% |
| Vehicle crime | 13 | 2.2 | 0.45 | -57% |
| Burglary | 12 | 2.1 | 0.58 | +33% |
| Other crime | 8 | 1.4 | 0.65 | +0% |
| Drugs | 6 | 1.0 | 0.32 | -14% |
| Shoplifting | 4 | 0.7 | 0.08 | -56% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.7 | 0.41 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 0.53 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.21 | +0% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.13 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Pembury
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pembury recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 45.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Pembury
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pembury recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 21.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Pembury
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pembury recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Pembury
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pembury recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Pembury
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pembury recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Pembury
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pembury recorded 13 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 57% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Pembury
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pembury recorded 12 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 up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Pembury
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pembury recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Pembury
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pembury recorded 6 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Pembury
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pembury recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Pembury
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pembury recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Pembury
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pembury recorded 3 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.
Bicycle theft in Pembury
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Pembury recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Pembury
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pembury recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Pembury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Pembury.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Pembury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Tunbridge Wells | 4,213 | 79.4 | -4% |
| Southborough | 511 | 47.2 | -43% |
| Paddock Wood | 841 | 89.8 | +9% |
| Tonbridge | 2,983 | 77.8 | -6% |
| Rusthall and Langton Green | 406 | 50.8 | -38% |
| Kings Hill | 447 | 44.4 | -46% |
| Crowborough | 930 | 43.9 | -47% |
| Staplehurst | 471 | 61.7 | -25% |
1 areas within Pembury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Pembury & Capel had the highest rate (72.8 per 1,000) and Pembury & Capel the lowest (72.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pembury & Capel | Neighbourhood | 8,256 | 601 | 72.8 |
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 Pembury over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 159 |
| On or near The Mews | 73 |
| On or near Supermarket | 19 |
| On or near Snipe Close | 16 |
| On or near Belfield Road | 15 |
| On or near Bulls Place | 11 |
| On or near Chestnut Walk | 11 |
| On or near Canterbury Road | 10 |
| On or near Amhurst Bank Road | 9 |
| On or near Hastings Road | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pembury 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 191 | 39.9% |
| Not recorded | 102 | 21.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 88 | 18.4% |
| Under investigation | 45 | 9.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 28 | 5.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 1.7% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.4% |
Pembury has an estimated population of 5,805. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pembury sits in decile 7.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Pembury |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.8% |
| Social rented homes | 15.5% |
| Private rented homes | 11.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.0 |
Is Pembury a safe place to live?
Pembury recorded 82.5 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 Pembury?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (102).
Is crime in Pembury going up or down?
Recorded crime in Pembury was up 25% on the year before: 479 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 383 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Pembury?
Pembury 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 Pembury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.