Herne Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Herne recorded a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 38.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure reflects a relatively low-crime environment, with the area’s built-up nature within Canterbury likely contributing to the balance between urban and semi-rural dynamics. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (35.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.4%) and criminal damage and arson (13.4%). These patterns align with typical urban centres where interpersonal disputes and property-related incidents dominate. Seasonal factors, such as the transition to darker evenings and Halloween activities, may have influenced anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, though the overall rate of violence and sexual offences fell by 40% month-on-month. The area’s proximity to Canterbury’s historic core may also explain the presence of criminal damage, linked to heritage sites or local events. While the crime rate remains well below the UK average, the data underscores the importance of contextual factors in shaping local crime profiles, with no single cause dominating the picture.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in October 2023 was a 500% increase in 'other theft' crimes, rising from 1 to 6. This surge, though small in absolute terms, highlights a sudden change in criminal activity that may reflect opportunistic behaviour during Halloween or increased foot traffic in retail areas. Concurrently, 'other crime' also rose sharply by 300%, suggesting a possible uptick in unclassified or emerging types of offences. Vehicle crime, meanwhile, jumped by 200%, potentially linked to seasonal changes in parking patterns or increased use of vehicles for illicit activities. In contrast, violence and sexual offences dropped by 40%, and anti-social behaviour fell by 35.3%, both of which may be attributable to the end of term-time activities in local schools or reduced public gatherings as the weather worsened. Herne’s rate of violence and sexual offences (1.7 per 1,000) remains 35.8% below the UK average, while 'other crime' is 114% above the national rate—though this category’s definition remains opaque. Residents may find the 500% rise in 'other theft' particularly noteworthy, as it could indicate vulnerabilities in specific sectors like retail or community spaces.

Herne’s crime rate in October 2023 fell by 13.1% compared to the previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a modest but consistent decline. Over the 31 days of October, the area recorded an average of 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. When scaled to the local population of 13,773, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 206 residents over the course of the month—a statistic that provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. The previous month’s rate was higher, suggesting that October’s drop may be part of a broader seasonal trend, possibly linked to the end of term-time activities or reduced public engagement due to colder weather. While the daily crime count remains manageable, the fluctuation between months highlights the importance of monitoring local patterns. The 1-in-206 resident figure, though not directly comparable to UK-wide metrics, illustrates that Herne’s residents face a significantly lower monthly risk of experiencing crime than the national average, which is not provided for this section.