Herne Bay Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Herne Bay's overall crime rate in October 2024 stood at 8.5 per 1,000 residents, 4.9% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.1% of all incidents (63 cases), with a rate of 2.6 per 1,000—3% below the UK average. This discrepancy may reflect local policing efforts or demographic factors, such as the area's proximity to Canterbury and its mix of residential and tourist activity. Shoplifting (20.6% of total crimes) surged to 43 incidents, 136% above the UK average, likely driven by Halloween and increased retail footfall. Anti-social behaviour, though a significant category (12.9% of total crimes), declined by 20.6% compared to the previous month, possibly linked to seasonal shifts in community dynamics. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, clocks going back, and Halloween—may have influenced both property and violent crime trends, with darker evenings increasing opportunities for shoplifting while also prompting more community interaction that could deter anti-social behaviour. The relatively low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000, 39% below the UK average) suggests that residential areas may be benefiting from effective security measures or lower exposure to targeted crime.

October 2024 saw a 65.4% increase in shoplifting, the most significant month-on-month rise, with 43 incidents reported compared to 26 in September. This surge, 136% above the UK average, may partly reflect Halloween-related activity or increased foot traffic in retail areas. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 20.6% (34 to 27), potentially linked to seasonal changes in community engagement or enforcement efforts. The possession of weapons also rose sharply by 200%, from 1 to 3 incidents, though this remains a low-frequency category. Bicycle theft dropped by 57.1% (7 to 3), a decrease that could be attributed to improved security measures or reduced cycling during darker evenings. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast: while property crimes (92) outpaced violent crimes (63), the latter category's rate (2.6 per 1,000) is 3% below the UK average, suggesting a combination of local demographics and policing strategies.

Herne Bay's crime rate in October 2024 rose to 8.5 per 1,000 residents, a 4.0% increase from the previous month's rate of 8.2 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 7 crimes reported each day, with one crime occurring for every 118 residents over the course of the month. While the overall rate remains slightly above the UK average, the daily crime count provides a tangible measure of local exposure. The population context reveals that 209 crimes were recorded across 24,652 residents, highlighting the density of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. The rate of violent crimes (2.6 per 1,000) is 3% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors such as community policing or seasonal activity patterns may have contributed to this divergence. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting (136% above the UK average) indicates localized pressures that require targeted intervention.