Herne Crime Rate

Herne is a highly secure residential area, with an excellent safety score of 86/100. Its overall crime rate is 55.7 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. The crime trend in Herne has seen a 9.3% increase year-over-year, indicating a slight rise in local activity for the population of 13,773. Despite this minor upward shift, the area remains exceptionally safe, particularly regarding property crime, which is less than half the national average. Understanding the local distribution of crime types and their timing can help residents maintain this high standard of security. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime categories, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to keep the community informed.

In Herne, violence and sexual offences are the most significant crime category, accounting for 47.9% of all reports, at a rate of 26.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common concern at 15.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.8%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 14.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, criminal damage and arson is the most prominent, while 'other theft' accounts for 6.9% of total crime. Vehicle crime and burglary are relatively rare, at 3.3% and 3.0% respectively. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while interpersonal offences and social disturbances are the most frequent issues, the risk of serious property crime is very low. The relatively high percentage of violence and anti-social behaviour suggests that these are the primary community safety concerns, while the low burglary rate is a very positive indicator for residential security.

The crime trend in Herne has seen a 9.3% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a relatively consistent level of activity throughout the year, with a notable peak in June reaching a rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents.

Other months showed very little variation, with rates typically hovering between 4.4 and 5.4. The year began with a low rate of 3.1 in January and ended with a rate of 4.5 in December. This overall upward trend, while starting from a low base, suggests that the village is seeing slightly more frequent criminal activity than in previous years. For residents, this means that while the area remains very safe compared to national averages, there is a need for continued vigilance. The consistent monthly figures indicate that crime in Herne occurs at a steady rate throughout the year, without significant seasonal peaks or troughs.

How To Keep Safe in Herne

The most common crime in Herne is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Maintaining safety in the village involves a mix of personal awareness and proactive property security.

1. Focus on Night-time Security: Burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur between 12am and 6am. Ensure all doors, windows, and vehicles are fully locked before the late-night hours.
2. Daytime Vigilance: Theft is most common during the morning and afternoon. Ensure that outbuildings, sheds, and vehicles are locked even when you are at home during the day.
3. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB being a top concern, ensuring your property has clear boundaries and motion-activated lighting can discourage loitering and opportunistic damage.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups is effective for identifying and reporting suspicious activity or repeat anti-social behaviour offenders.
5. Install Boundary Security: Use AI-powered cameras to create a secure perimeter around your home, deterring the criminal damage and arson that accounts for 9.8% of local crime.

Herne exhibits clear crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 47% and 50% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the area is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard business hours when residents may be away or active on their properties.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and violence, become the most prominent, accounting for 57% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at 27% of all incidents. Burglary also remains a consistent threat during the night and afternoon (18% and 15% respectively). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the late-night hours present the greatest risk for vehicle security and residential property breaches. Residents should tailor their security habits to these cycles, focusing on theft during the day and vehicle security at night.

In the local regional context, Herne offers a peaceful and secure alternative to the busier urban centres nearby. When compared to Herne Bay, which has a much higher crime rate of 103.2 per 1,000, Herne is significantly safer. It also compares favourably to Hersden (80.2) and Sturry (56.6). Other nearby areas like Broad Oak report zero crimes, highlighting the difference between the more populated urban settlements and their rural surroundings. For those looking for a safe, residential environment within the Canterbury district, Herne provides a safety profile that is among the best in the region, offering a quiet and secure character.

With a very low property crime rate of 14.6 per 1,000 residents, Herne is a safe place to own a home, but the presence of anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and criminal damage (9.8%) suggests that properties can still be targets for opportunistic incidents. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. In a quiet residential setting, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS (Security Operating System) uses advanced AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, identifying threats at the property boundary. In Herne, where vehicle crime peaks at 27% during the night, scOS's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can stop a criminal in their tracks. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the area's property crime figures.