Herne Bay Crime Rate

Herne Bay, a popular seaside town in the Canterbury local authority, offers a safe and community-focused environment for its residents. The area features an overall crime rate of 102.1 per 1,000 residents, which is above the UK average of 91.7. This results in a safety score of 77/100, placing it just below the national benchmark of 79/100. Recent data indicates a 6.7% increase in crime year-over-year, suggesting a growing need for security awareness. While the town remains a secure and desirable place to live, the property crime rate of 36.7 per 1,000 highlights the importance of proactive security measures for both homeowners and businesses in this high-activity coastal community.

In Herne Bay, the most frequently reported offences are violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.3% of all crime (35.0 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is also a major concern, making up 18.1% of the total, followed by shoplifting at 14.2%. Property-related crime is a significant factor in this coastal town, with a combined rate of 36.7 per 1,000 people. This includes criminal damage and arson (9.4%), other theft (4.9%), and vehicle crime (3.3%). Burglary accounts for 2.5% of total crime, with a rate of 2.6 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, the combined impact of theft, damage, and social disturbances means that maintaining robust property security is a key part of living in the area.

Herne Bay is currently seeing an upward trend in its safety data, with total crime increasing by 6.7% year-over-year. Monthly analysis shows a gradual rise throughout 2025, starting at a rate of 6.3 per 1,000 in December 2024 and reaching a peak of 11.2 in August 2025. Although there was a dip in September, the rate remained around 8.0 for the final months of the period. This increasing trend, particularly in an already high-activity area, suggests that residents should be more vigilant and consider enhancing their personal and home security measures to adapt to the changing safety landscape.

How To Keep Safe in Herne Bay

As violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Herne Bay, residents and visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in the town centre or seafront areas after dark. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent offence, so residents are encouraged to report persistent issues to local authorities to help target resources effectively. To protect against property crime, ensure that all home entry points are securely locked and that valuables are not visible from windows. Shoplifting is also a significant business crime; local retailers should consider integrated security systems that provide real-time alerts to staff to deter opportunistic theft. For vehicle owners, the night-time spike in vehicle crime (30% of night incidents) highlights the importance of using secure, well-lit parking areas. Finally, consider a proactive home security system to provide an extra layer of intelligent protection in this high-activity coastal town.

Crime in Herne Bay follows a distinct pattern linked to its retail and social activity. During the morning (6am-12pm), 'other' offences are the most common (41%), with theft-related offences also significant at 37%. This trend shifts in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft offences reach 41%. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the profile shifts significantly towards 'other' types of crime, which account for 62% of incidents. Overnight (12am-6am), the focus changes again; while 'other' offences remain high (45%), vehicle crime peaks at 30% of all night-time incidents, and burglary also reaches its highest period percentage at 16%. This suggests that while daytime is busier, the night-time poses a specific risk to property and vehicles.

In the local context, Herne Bay is a significant settlement. It has a higher crime rate than nearby Herne (55.2 per 1,000) and Hersden (82.1). Other surrounding areas like Upstreet and Broad Oak show no recorded crime in this data. As a major tourism and retail hub, Herne Bay naturally experiences more activity than its more residential neighbours. For those seeking a quieter environment, the surrounding villages offer a safer alternative, while those living in Herne Bay itself should be mindful of the town's unique safety profile and rising crime trend.

Herne Bay's property crime rate of 36.7 per 1,000 residents indicates a tangible risk that homeowners should address with effective security. Property-related offences, including theft and criminal damage, are a notable part of the local crime landscape. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV, are often reactive—they record a crime as it happens but do little to prevent it. For residents in this busy coastal town, a proactive approach like scOS is far more effective. scOS uses AI to monitor your property's boundary in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your home. By distinguishing between normal foot traffic and a genuine intruder, it can autonomously trigger responses like activating security lights to deter criminals. This level of professional-grade security is essential in Herne Bay, ensuring that your home is actively protected and less attractive to opportunistic thieves.