Herne Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 13,773, Herne recorded 55 crimes in May 2024, translating to a crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents—52.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This rate is the lowest recorded for the area in recent months, reflecting a combination of local policing strategies and seasonal dynamics. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 50.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.7%) and other theft (9.1%). These figures highlight a skewed crime profile, with violent crimes dominating despite the area’s overall safety. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays, longer evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—may have influenced patterns, particularly the rise in public order offences. While violent crime rates remain below the UK average, the dominance of this category suggests a need for targeted community engagement. The low rate of property crimes, such as burglary (3.6%) and vehicle crime (1.8%), aligns with Herne’s character as a built-up area within Canterbury, where residential density may reduce opportunities for such offences. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are significantly lower than national averages, due to the area’s proximity to Canterbury’s historical and commercial hubs, which may foster a more community-oriented environment.

May 2024 saw a stark 200% increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 33.3% rise in shoplifting and a 25.0% increase in other theft, suggests shifting patterns in community interactions. Meanwhile, vehicle crime plummeted by 83.3%, and criminal damage and arson fell by 80.0%, indicating a potential reduction in targeted property crimes. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 50.9% of all crimes, but their rate (2.0 per 1,000) was 30% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also fell significantly, with a 66% gap below the national rate. These shifts may reflect seasonal factors, such as longer evenings and bank holidays, which could have influenced both public order incidents and the reduced focus on vehicle-related crimes. A resident might find the 83.3% drop in vehicle crime particularly reassuring, as it suggests improved security measures or changes in local traffic patterns.

Herne’s crime rate in May 2024 fell by 20.4% compared to April, dropping from 5.0 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend of reduced vehicle crime, burglary, and criminal damage, which fell by 83.3%, 50.0%, and 80.0% respectively. The daily crime count for the month averaged 2 incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area’s generally low crime profile. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 250 residents, illustrating the relatively infrequent nature of crime in Herne compared to the UK average. This monthly exposure rate is particularly noteworthy for residents, as it underscores the area’s safety relative to other parts of the country. The population context—13,773 residents—means that even small changes in crime numbers can be amplified statistically, but the consistent downward trend suggests stability in local policing efforts or community dynamics. While no UK daily crime comparison exists, the monthly aggregate provides a clear benchmark for understanding how Herne’s crime profile stacks up against national standards.