Crime Rate in Ashford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Ashford

The total recorded crimes in Ashford, UK in May 2025 are around 951 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Ashford crime rate of 7.16 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Ashford, encompassing approximately 132,747 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (388) incidents (25.16% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (136) incidents (3.03% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (97) incidents (8.99% increase)
Ashford Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Hospital with total crimes: 20
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 18
  • High Street with total crimes: 18

Ashford Police Info:

Kent Police

How safe is Ashford?

To understand the safety of Ashford, we need to analyze Ashford crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Ashford has recorded 12,638 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 95.20 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 154 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 11,651 crimes with a crime rate of 87.77, ranking it 166 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Kent:

    • In 2024, Ashford demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Kent average, with 12638 crimes compared to 13931.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Ashford witnessed more crimes than 6 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Ashford had fewer crimes than the Kent average, with 11,651 crimes compared to 13,095. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Ashford witnessed more crimes than 7 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Ashford is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Kent, Ashford has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Ashford Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Victoria (178 crimes), and the safest, Park Farm North (2 crimes), is 176 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Ashford.

Similarly, the area of Ashford Central (219 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Hamstreet & Isle of Oxney (19 crimes), with a difference of 200 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Ashford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Victoria178
Beaver91
Willesborough69
Norman61
Aylesford & East Stour46

Safest Wards:

Singleton West4
Downs West3
Conningbrook & Little Burton Farm3
Kennington3
Park Farm North2

Most Dangerous Areas:

Ashford Central219
Park Farm101
Beaver & Singleton86
Highfield & Willesborough84
Washford & Stanhope60

Safest Areas:

Brabourne Lees & North Romney39
Biddenden, Smarden & High Halden38
Great Chart, Bethersden & Woodchurch37
Kennington & Little Burton Farm30
Hamstreet & Isle of Oxney19

Ashford Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Ashford has recorded 951 crimes with crime rate of 7.16 ranking 201th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 7 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 10 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2024, the total Ashford crimes were 12,638. The crime rate of Ashford in 2024 was 95.20 (year) or 7.93 (month) ranking it 154 danzarous in the UK. Ashford ranked 7 in terms of total crimes and 9 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2023, the total crimes in Ashford were around 11,651 crimes with yearly crime rate of 87.77 (year) or 7.31 (month) ranking 166 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Kent, Ashford ranked 8 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 9 as per crime rate of Ashford

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks686 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling826 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells700 119,548 109,318 10
Folkestone and Hythe825 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,600 820,408 517,055 7
Dover1,098 712,554 712,219 6
Canterbury1,569 117,254 616,993 5
Swale1,560 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,141 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham911 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,583 219,161 118,027 1

Ashford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (388 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (136 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (310 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (132 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (413 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (135 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 314 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 99 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (385 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (92 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 363 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 122 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (335 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (152 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (376 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (123 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (354 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (113 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (382 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (176 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 427 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 162 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (692 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (284 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1077 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 89.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 166 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202586
April 202575
March 202595
February 202574
January 202579
December 202488
November 202480
October 202483
September 202484
August 202475
July 202492
June 2024166

A total of 342 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.50 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 43 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202530
April 202532
March 202520
February 202531
January 202527
December 202443
November 202436
October 202429
September 202419
August 202420
July 202419
June 202436

A total of 439 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 36.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 76 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202520
April 202524
March 202522
February 202522
January 202538
December 202429
November 202456
October 202445
September 202442
August 202431
July 202434
June 202476

A total of 37 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.36 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20255
March 20252
January 20253
December 20245
November 20247
October 20242
September 20243
August 20242
July 20243
June 20244

A total of 122 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.17 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 202517
March 20259
February 20258
January 20254
December 202414
November 202414
October 202416
September 20244
August 20246
July 20247
June 202414

A total of 861 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 71.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 142 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202562
April 202573
March 202568
February 202559
January 202562
December 202472
November 202466
October 202459
September 202460
August 202477
July 202461
June 2024142

A total of 1681 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 140.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 284 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025136
April 2025132
March 2025128
February 202599
January 202585
December 2024122
November 2024121
October 2024123
September 2024113
August 2024176
July 2024162
June 2024284

A total of 51 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20256
March 20251
February 20251
January 20253
December 20242
November 20241
October 20243
September 20243
August 20243
July 20243
June 202418

A total of 4739 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 394.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 692 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025388
April 2025310
March 2025413
February 2025314
January 2025385
December 2024363
November 2024335
October 2024376
September 2024354
August 2024382
July 2024427
June 2024692

A total of 73 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.64 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20254
March 202510
February 20257
January 20256
November 20243
October 20248
September 20243
August 20245
July 20246
June 202412

A total of 587 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 48.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 96 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202549
April 202543
March 202548
February 202535
January 202536
December 202440
November 202446
October 202437
September 202451
August 202455
July 202451
June 202496

A total of 380 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 84 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202522
March 202534
February 202525
January 202533
December 202425
November 202428
October 202424
September 202416
August 202430
July 202431
June 202484

A total of 360 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202518
March 202529
February 202526
January 202530
December 202420
November 202427
October 202419
September 202430
August 202432
July 202432
June 202468

A total of 1340 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 111.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 228 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202597
April 202589
March 2025135
February 202586
January 202592
December 202492
November 2024152
October 2024105
September 202469
August 2024113
July 202482
June 2024228

High Crime Locations Ashford in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Ashford postcode area is presented below.

1. Hospital (Map)
Total20
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order3
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour3
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting7
Anti-social behaviour7
Violence and sexual offences3
Robbery1
3. High Street (Map)
Total18
Public order6
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting4
Vehicle crime1
Robbery1
Other theft1
Drugs1
4. Kimberley Way (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting13
Other crime1
5. St Johns Lane (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences4
Drugs3
Public order2
6. Otterden Close (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting5
Violence and sexual offences4

To know about postcode areas in Ashford, visit Ashford information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.