Kent Police are reporting that levels of antisocial behaviour in Tonbridge have fallen by almost a third in a year, after proactive hotspot patrols clampdown on issues and concerns linked to the High Street, retail parks and other public spaces.
They say that between February 2023 and January 2024 there were 297 reports of antisocial behaviour in and around the town centre and for the latest year, up until the end of January 2025, this figure had fallen to 216. Whilst this is nearly a 30% reduction, which is good news, 216 acts is still a high number, averging 18 per month.
Beat officers have been using their patrols to also speak to women and girls in Tonbridge as part of ongoing work to further enhance their safety.
Constables have been gathering responses from passing pedestrians to highlight any concerns they may have, including areas with poor street lighting, CCTV, as well as locations where people would like to see an increased police presence.
A similar enforcement has been taking place in and around Snodland, with the focus on safety towards women and girls is also incorporated into proactive patrols, where encouraging reductions in antisocial behaviour have also been achieved.
Reported incidents of antisocial behaviour have fallen by 33 per cent over the past year, from 263 to 175.
Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield said ‘Hotspot policing focuses resources to specific places where crime or antisocial behaviour is known to take place and has resulted in more than 500 intelligence led patrols across the town in the last six months. These have included officers responding to disorder linked to pubs and takeaways, as well as concerns including car meets in nearby East Peckham. Efforts by our officers and PCSOs to positively engage with young people in Tonbridge are also being assisted by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.’
