Herne Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of Herne's population size—13,773 residents—86 reported crimes in May 2023 equate to a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people, placing it 22.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This rate, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects the dynamics of a built-up area within Canterbury, where urban characteristics and local amenities shape crime patterns. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (38.4% of total incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.3%) and criminal damage and arson (9.3%). These figures align with the seasonal context of May, a month marked by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased socialising, which may contribute to higher levels of public order and violent incidents. The relatively low rate of burglary (2.3% of total crimes) and vehicle crime (1.2%) suggests that local security measures or the area's layout may be effective in deterring property-related offences. However, the presence of anti-social behaviour at 16.3% of total crimes highlights the ongoing challenge of managing community disorder in a densely populated built-up area. The data also shows that Herne's rate of violence and sexual offences is 14% below the UK average, linked to the area's proximity to Canterbury's broader policing strategies and community initiatives. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the seasonal context of May—characterised by longer nights and increased outdoor activity—may influence the types of crimes reported, with alcohol-fuelled incidents and public order offences likely to fluctuate with local events and weather patterns.

May 2023 saw a 100% increase in drugs-related crimes, with one incident reported compared to zero in April. This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential shift in local trends that may warrant further attention. Burglary also rose by 100%, from one to two incidents, a change that could be linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 30%, dropping from 10 to 7 incidents, reflecting changes in retail patterns or policing efforts. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Herne was 14% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be influenced by the area's character as a built-up district within Canterbury. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained significantly below the UK average, with a 25% gap, reflecting local community engagement or effective policing strategies in public spaces.

Herne's crime rate in May 2023 rose slightly to 6.2 per 1,000 residents from 5.9 per 1,000 in April, marking a 6.1% increase. This translates to roughly 3 crimes reported each day in the built-up area, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within a local framework. When scaled to the area's population of 13,773, the monthly exposure means one reported crime occurred for every 160 residents over the course of May. This monthly aggregate provides a tangible sense of how frequently crime intersects with daily life in Herne. While the overall rate remains 22.5% below the UK average, the slight upward trend suggests a need for continued monitoring of patterns, particularly in categories such as drugs and burglary, which saw notable month-on-month increases. The daily crime count, though modest, reflects the rhythm of a community where public spaces and local amenities are central to activity, potentially influencing the frequency of incidents.