Sevenoaks presents itself as a locality where tranquility prevails, boasting a commendably
low crime rating. Nestled among 25 neighboring boroughs, it proudly stands at the
22nd position for having a lower crime rate, marking it as a serene and safer choice for its residents. The year 2023 witnessed a total of 9,219 reported criminal incidents, which, when juxtaposed against its population of 120,514, translates to a modest crime rate of
76.5 incidents per 1,000 people. This figure not only underscores a secure environment but also highlights a decrease of 2.32% in criminal activities compared to the preceding year, further cementing Sevenoaks’ reputation as a bastion of safety.
Diving deeper into the nature of crimes, Sevenoaks experiences a predominance of Violence and sexual offences, constituting 33.4% of the total crime, followed by Anti-social behaviour and Criminal damage and arson, making up 12.8% and 12.4% respectively. In stark contrast, instances of Bicycle theft, Theft from the person, and Robbery are remarkably low, highlighting the rarity of such offences within this community.
The borough is partitioned into 26 wards, each with its own narrative of safety and vigilance. The wards of Swanley St Mary’s, Sevenoaks Town and St John’s, and Eynsford report higher incidences of crime, yet even at these levels, they reflect the broader commitment to maintaining law and order. Conversely, Kemsing, Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway, and Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone stand as paragons of safety, offering peace of mind to their inhabitants with notably low crime rates.
In essence, Sevenoaks is a testament to a balanced urban living experience, where safety and serenity are not just ideals but everyday realities.
In Sevenoaks, crime trends have shown fluctuations over recent years. Anti-social behaviour rose by 6.67% in 2020, but then fell by 3.31% in 2021 and 7.17% in 2022. Other theft experienced an increase of 1.66% in 2022. Violence and sexual offences saw an increase of 3.76% in 2021, but a decrease of 1.79% in 2022 and 2.57% in 2023. Meanwhile, Burglary rates declined by 3.11% in 2020, and Vehicle crime decreased by 1.73% in the same year.