Crime in West Kingsdown: statistics, rates and trends
387 crimes were recorded in West Kingsdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Kingsdown at a glance
- Crime trends in West Kingsdown
- Types of crime in West Kingsdown
- West Kingsdown compared with nearby towns
- Areas within West Kingsdown
- Streets with the most crime in West Kingsdown
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Kingsdown
- Population and deprivation in West Kingsdown
- Questions about crime in West Kingsdown
- About this data
387 crimes were recorded in West Kingsdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 132 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, West Kingsdown has the 914th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Kingsdown | Sevenoaks | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 387 | 7,691 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 62.6 | 62.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +12% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 6,178 | 122,748 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Kingsdown was highest in the year to July 2018 (550 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (347). Over the whole period it fell 30%, 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 | 387 | 62.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 347 | 56.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 397 | 64.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 473 | 76.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 402 | 65.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 495 | 80.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 466 | 75.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 380 | 61.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 550 | 89.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 42 |
| June 2026 | 32 |
| May 2026 | 19 |
| April 2026 | 23 |
| March 2026 | 36 |
| February 2026 | 25 |
| January 2026 | 46 |
| December 2025 | 34 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 23 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Kingsdown 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 other theft, other crime.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+50%) and violence and sexual offences (+27%). The largest falls were in burglary (-30%) and criminal damage and arson (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 132 | 21.4 | 0.62 | +27% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 57 | 9.2 | 0.60 | +0% |
| Other theft | 52 | 8.4 | 1.32 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 37 | 6.0 | 0.88 | -26% |
| Vehicle crime | 36 | 5.8 | 1.18 | +50% |
| Other crime | 19 | 3.1 | 1.46 | +111% |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.6 | 0.73 | -30% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.8 | 0.54 | +38% |
| Public order | 11 | 1.8 | 0.27 | -15% |
| Shoplifting | 8 | 1.3 | 0.16 | +167% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 1.1 | 1.17 | +600% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.12 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Kingsdown
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Kingsdown recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 34.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Kingsdown
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Kingsdown recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Kingsdown
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Kingsdown recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Kingsdown
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Kingsdown recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Kingsdown
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Kingsdown recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Kingsdown
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Kingsdown recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 111% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Kingsdown
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Kingsdown recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Kingsdown
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Kingsdown recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Kingsdown
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Kingsdown recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Kingsdown
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Kingsdown recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Kingsdown
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Kingsdown recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Kingsdown
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Kingsdown 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 67% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to West Kingsdown, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Kingsdown.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Kingsdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley | 1,068 | 62.3 | -1% |
| Otford and Kemsing | 264 | 35.4 | -44% |
| Borough Green | 269 | 43.0 | -31% |
| Swanley | 1,654 | 89.1 | +42% |
| Sevenoaks | 1,585 | 57.7 | -8% |
| Ebbsfleet Valley | 386 | 52.0 | -17% |
| Stone (Dartford) | 387 | 71.9 | +15% |
| Dartford | 7,168 | 98.9 | +58% |
1 areas within West Kingsdown, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Fawkham and West Kingsdown had the highest rate (62.6 per 1,000) and Fawkham and West Kingsdown the lowest (62.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fawkham and West Kingsdown | Neighbourhood | 6,178 | 387 | 62.6 |
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 West Kingsdown over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Colin Chapman Way | 30 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 24 |
| On or near Symonds Close | 23 |
| On or near St Clere Hill Road | 15 |
| On or near Castle Hill | 14 |
| On or near Knatts Valley Road | 14 |
| On or near Fawkham Road | 13 |
| On or near Chancel Close | 12 |
| On or near Valley Road | 11 |
| On or near Ashen Grove Road | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Kingsdown 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 | 150 | 38.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 110 | 28.4% |
| Not recorded | 57 | 14.7% |
| Under investigation | 24 | 6.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 5.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 13 | 3.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 1.0% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
West Kingsdown has an estimated population of 6,178. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Kingsdown sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Kingsdown |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 85.0% |
| Social rented homes | 6.7% |
| Private rented homes | 8.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 |
Is West Kingsdown a safe place to live?
West Kingsdown recorded 62.6 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 West Kingsdown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (57).
Is crime in West Kingsdown going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Kingsdown was up 12% on the year before: 387 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 347 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Kingsdown?
West Kingsdown 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 West Kingsdown. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.