Crime in Tenterden: statistics, rates and trends
521 crimes were recorded in Tenterden in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Tenterden at a glance
- Crime trends in Tenterden
- Types of crime in Tenterden
- Tenterden compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Tenterden
- Streets with the most crime in Tenterden
- What happened after crimes were reported in Tenterden
- Population and deprivation in Tenterden
- Questions about crime in Tenterden
- About this data
521 crimes were recorded in Tenterden in the 12 months to July 2026, 69.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 183 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Tenterden has the 800th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Tenterden | Ashford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 521 | 10,803 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 69.5 | 76.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 7,498 | 140,936 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Tenterden was highest in the year to July 2021 (611 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (475). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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 | 521 | 69.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 540 | 72.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 527 | 70.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 475 | 63.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 504 | 67.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 611 | 81.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 555 | 74.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 602 | 80.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 589 | 78.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 45 |
| May 2026 | 44 |
| April 2026 | 35 |
| March 2026 | 37 |
| February 2026 | 31 |
| January 2026 | 47 |
| December 2025 | 44 |
| November 2025 | 57 |
| October 2025 | 51 |
| September 2025 | 40 |
| August 2025 | 54 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Tenterden 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 (+57%) and other theft (+52%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-43%) and public order (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 183 | 24.4 | 0.71 | -15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 118 | 15.7 | 1.03 | +57% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 63 | 8.4 | 1.24 | -9% |
| Other theft | 38 | 5.1 | 0.79 | +52% |
| Shoplifting | 33 | 4.4 | 0.53 | -43% |
| Public order | 21 | 2.8 | 0.42 | -32% |
| Other crime | 19 | 2.5 | 1.20 | +73% |
| Burglary | 13 | 1.7 | 0.49 | -7% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.5 | 0.45 | -21% |
| Vehicle crime | 10 | 1.3 | 0.27 | -47% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 1.1 | 1.10 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.3 | 0.32 | +100% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 0.20 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Tenterden
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Tenterden recorded 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 35.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Tenterden
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Tenterden recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 22.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Tenterden
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Tenterden recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Tenterden
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Tenterden recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Tenterden
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Tenterden recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Tenterden
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Tenterden recorded 21 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 32% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Tenterden
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Tenterden recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Tenterden
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Tenterden recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Tenterden
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Tenterden recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Tenterden
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Tenterden recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Tenterden
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Tenterden recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Tenterden
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Tenterden recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Tenterden
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Tenterden recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Tenterden, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Tenterden.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Tenterden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkhurst | 290 | 55.7 | -20% |
| Staplehurst | 471 | 61.7 | -11% |
| Ashford (Ashford) | 7,882 | 94.8 | +36% |
| Lenham and Harrietsham | 441 | 80.2 | +15% |
| Coxheath | 621 | 58.8 | -15% |
| Littlestone-on-Sea | 225 | 39.7 | -43% |
| Bearsted | 297 | 35.4 | -49% |
| Paddock Wood | 841 | 89.8 | +29% |
3 areas within Tenterden, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Tenterden South had the highest rate (93.1 per 1,000) and Tenterden St Michael's the lowest (44.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenterden South | Neighbourhood | 2,837 | 264 | 93.1 |
| Tenterden North | Neighbourhood | 2,215 | 148 | 66.8 |
| Tenterden St Michael's | Neighbourhood | 2,446 | 109 | 44.6 |
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 Tenterden over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 42 |
| On or near Parking Area | 30 |
| On or near Priory Way | 27 |
| On or near William Judge Close | 24 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 19 |
| On or near Caxton Close | 19 |
| On or near Jarvis Place | 17 |
| On or near Tilden Gill Road | 16 |
| On or near Supermarket | 15 |
| On or near Jacksons Lane | 15 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Tenterden 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 | 34.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 140 | 26.9% |
| Not recorded | 118 | 22.6% |
| Under investigation | 25 | 4.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 21 | 4.0% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 2.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 2.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 4 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Tenterden has an estimated population of 7,498. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Tenterden sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Tenterden |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 51.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 35.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.9% |
| Social rented homes | 12.8% |
| Private rented homes | 14.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
Is Tenterden a safe place to live?
Tenterden recorded 69.5 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 Tenterden?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (118).
Is crime in Tenterden going up or down?
Recorded crime in Tenterden was down 4% on the year before: 521 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 540 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Tenterden?
Tenterden 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 Tenterden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.