Hersden Crime Rate

Hersden is a secure residential area, with a high safety score of 81/100. Its overall crime rate is 80.2 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average of 91.6. The crime trend in Hersden is currently stable, with a minor 0.6% increase year-over-year, indicating a consistent safety environment for its population of 2,193. While the area is safe, particularly compared to urban centres, understanding the local patterns of violence and property crime can help residents maintain this high standard of security. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime categories, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to keep the community informed and secure. Understanding these figures is key for homeowners and businesses in the area.

In Hersden, violence and sexual offences are the most significant crime category, accounting for 38.6% of all reports, at a rate of 31.0 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common concern at 14.2%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.6%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, criminal damage and arson is the most prominent, while 'other theft' accounts for 6.2% of total crime. Vehicle crime and burglary are also relevant, at 4.5% and 4.0% respectively. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while interpersonal offences and social disturbances are the most frequent issues, the risk of property crime is substantial for a village. The relatively high percentage of criminal damage and the presence of burglary suggest that opportunistic offences targeting property and cars are a key concern for the community. Protective measures should focus on deterring these incidents.

The crime trend in Hersden is currently stable, with a minor 0.6% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a fluctuating level of activity throughout the year, with a notable peak in April reaching a rate of 13.2 per 1,000 residents.

Other active months included May (10.0), July (8.2), and June (6.8). The year began with a rate of 4.1 in January and ended with a rate of 5.9 in December. This overall stability is encouraging for the community, suggesting that the local safety environment remains consistent despite the significant peak in April. The fluctuating monthly figures indicate that crime in Hersden occurs in clusters rather than at a constant rate throughout the year. For residents, this means that while the area is generally safe, there are periods of heightened activity that require increased vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Hersden

The most common crime in Hersden is violence and sexual offences, followed by criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. Maintaining safety in the village involves a mix of personal awareness and proactive property security.

1. Focus on Night-time Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 30% of night-time incidents. Always park in well-lit, secure areas and ensure your vehicle is fully locked with no valuables inside.
2. Daytime Vigilance: Theft is most common during the morning and afternoon. Ensure that outbuildings, sheds, and vehicles are locked even when you are at home during the day.
3. Deter Criminal Damage: With criminal damage being a top concern, ensuring your property has clear boundaries and motion-activated lighting can discourage opportunistic damage.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups is effective for identifying and reporting suspicious activity or repeat anti-social behaviour offenders.
5. Install Boundary Security: Use AI-powered cameras to create a secure perimeter around your home, deterring the criminal damage and 'other theft' incidents that occur locally.

Hersden exhibits clear crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 34% and 38% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the area is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard business hours when residents may be away or active on their properties.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and violence, become the most prominent, accounting for 60% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at 30% of all incidents. Burglary remains a consistent threat during the night and afternoon (19% each). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the late-night hours present the greatest risk for vehicle security and residential property breaches. Residents should tailor their security habits to these cycles, focusing on theft during the day and vehicle security at night.

In the local regional context, Hersden offers a secure residential environment, though it is more active than some of its smaller neighbours. When compared to Sturry, which has a lower crime rate of 56.6 per 1,000, Hersden is slightly more active. Other nearby areas like Upstreet, Broad Oak, and Wickhambreaux report zero crimes, highlighting the difference between the more populated urban settlements and their very quiet rural surroundings. For those looking for a safe, residential environment within the Canterbury district, Hersden provides a safety profile that is respectable and stable, offering a secure character typical of the region's larger villages.

With a property crime rate of 24.6 per 1,000 residents, Hersden is a safe place to own a home, but the presence of criminal damage (14.2%) and burglary (4.0%) suggests that properties can still be targets for opportunistic incidents. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. In a residential setting, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS (Security Operating System) uses advanced AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, identifying threats at the property boundary. In Hersden, where vehicle crime peaks at 30% during the night, scOS's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can stop a criminal in their tracks. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the area's property crime figures.