Herne Bay Crime Rate

Herne Bay has an overall crime rate of 103.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 91.6. The town maintains a respectable safety score of 77/100, indicating a level of security that is better than the national average safety score of 50. However, recent data shows an 8.3% increase in total crime year-over-year, highlighting a rising trend in local activity for the population of 24,652. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly fluctuations, and time-based patterns to help residents and businesses understand Herne Bay's safety landscape. While the crime volume is influenced by the town's active retail and tourism sectors, understanding these patterns is key to maintaining personal and property security in this popular coastal destination.

Herne Bay's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.7% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 35.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 18.2%, followed by shoplifting at 13.9%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 36.8 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, shoplifting is a major contributor, reflecting the town's retail sector. Criminal damage and arson account for 9.2% of total crime, while 'other theft' represents 5.2%. Vehicle crime and burglary are less frequent but still present, at 3.3% and 2.6% respectively. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while violent crime is the highest volume category, the combined impact of property-related offences is substantial. The high rate of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour suggests that the town centre and coastal areas are primary focuses for criminal activity, requiring robust security measures for both homes and businesses.

The crime trend in Herne Bay is currently on an upward trajectory, with an 8.3% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a consistently high level of activity, peaking in August with a rate of 11.2 per 1,000 residents. Other high-activity months included May (10.2), June (9.7), and July (9.5).

The lowest crime rate was recorded in January at 6.7, which still reflects a moderate level of activity. The sustained high rates throughout the summer months suggest that the increase is significantly influenced by the town's tourist season. For residents and business owners, this means that the risk of encountering criminal activity has risen. The increase in violence, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour suggests a need for enhanced town-wide vigilance and a more proactive approach to both personal and property safety to counteract these rising trends.

How To Keep Safe in Herne Bay

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

1. Be Aware in the Town Centre: Stay aware of your surroundings in the town centre and along the seafront, especially during late-night hours when violence and anti-social behaviour are more frequent.
2. Secure Your Business: With shoplifting representing 13.9% of total crime, local businesses should invest in proactive AI security to deter theft and protect assets in real-time.
3. Protect Against Vehicle Crime: Vehicle crime accounts for 31% of night-time incidents. Always park in well-lit, secure areas and ensure no valuables are left in plain sight.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups can help identify and report repeat anti-social behaviour offenders, helping to maintain local safety.
5. Install Boundary Security: Use motion-activated lighting and AI-powered cameras to create a secure perimeter around your home, deterring the criminal damage and arson that accounts for 9.2% of local crime.

Herne Bay exhibits very specific crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 37% and 40% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the town is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft and shoplifting during standard business and shopping hours.

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 62% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at 31% of all incidents. Burglary also remains a consistent threat during the night and afternoon (16% and 15% respectively). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the evening and night-time hours present the greatest risk for personal safety, vehicle security, and residential property breaches. Residents and business owners 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 Bay is a primary urban and retail hub. When compared to nearby residential areas like Herne (55.7 per 1,000) and Hersden (80.2), Herne Bay has a higher crime rate. Other nearby areas like Upstreet and Broad Oak report zero crimes, highlighting the difference between the town centre and its more rural surroundings. For those living in or visiting Herne Bay, the higher crime volume is typical of an active coastal town with significant tourism. Understanding this urban context is essential for accurately assessing the local safety environment and taking appropriate security measures.

With a property crime rate of 36.8 per 1,000 residents and an increasing trend of 8.3%, property security in Herne Bay is an important consideration. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. In an active coastal town, 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 Bay, where vehicle crime peaks significantly at night (31%), 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 and businesses can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the town's rising property crime figures.