Littlebourne Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Littlebourne

Littlebourne, a built-up area within Canterbury, demonstrates a very low overall crime rate of 48.3 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is significantly below the national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a highly safe environment. The area achieves an impressive safety score of 87 out of 100, well above the UK average of 78. However, recent trends show that Littlebourne's crime rate has been increasing, with a notable 25.5% rise year-over-year. This introduction highlights Littlebourne's strong safety profile despite a recent upward trend, providing context for a detailed analysis of its crime data.

Crime Type Analysis in Littlebourne

In Littlebourne, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for a substantial 53.1% of all incidents, or 25.7 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common, representing 12.5% of crimes at a rate of 6.0 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour follows, making up 9.4% of the total with 4.5 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, other theft, and robbery, collectively stands at a very low 9.8 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. While property crime is minimal, the high proportion of violence and criminal damage suggests that residents should be aware of personal safety and property vulnerability.

Crime Trends in Littlebourne

Littlebourne has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a significant 25.5% rise in overall crime compared to the previous 12-month period. Reviewing the monthly trend data shows some fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was 3.8 in October 2024, rising to 6.0 in November 2024. It then saw variations, peaking at 5.3 in January, April, and June 2025, before settling at 3.0 in August and September 2025. This significant year-over-year increase, despite its overall low rate, indicates a shifting crime landscape that residents should be aware of.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Littlebourne

Crime in Littlebourne exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. During the Morning (6am-12pm), 'other' crimes are most significant (60%), with theft (16%) and vehicle crime (17%) also notable, reflecting early daily activity. The Afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees 'other' crimes remain high (59%), with some theft (20%) and burglary (14%), aligning with peak daytime vulnerability. In the Evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes dominate significantly (73%), suggesting increased social activity and anti-social behaviour. Finally, Night (12am-6am) is characterised by high 'other' crimes (53%) and substantial vehicle crime (34%), typically targeting properties under the cover of darkness.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Built-Up Areas

Comparing Littlebourne's crime rate of 48.3 per 1,000 residents with its immediate neighbouring built-up areas provides valuable local context. Areas such as Wickhambreaux, Wingham, Sturry, and Hersden are generally comparable in size and rural character. Littlebourne's crime rate is often similar to or slightly higher than these very low-crime areas, particularly due to its recent increasing trend. This comparison helps residents understand Littlebourne's position within the local crime landscape, highlighting its generally peaceful environment but also its recent upward shift in crime.

Protecting Your Property in Littlebourne

Despite Littlebourne's commendably low property crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents, the recent significant increase in overall crime warrants a proactive approach to home security. Relying on traditional security methods that merely record a crime after it has occurred offers limited protection.

For truly robust protection, consider advanced, AI-powered home security systems like scOS. These systems proactively deter crime by detecting potential threats at your property's boundary, preventing incidents before they escalate. Unlike reactive solutions, scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence to provide comprehensive, intelligent surveillance, learning your property's routines to minimise false alerts. The visible presence of such professional-grade deterrence, combined with features like autonomous response that can engage intruders, can make a potential criminal decide to move on within seconds. Investing in proactive security ensures peace of mind and enhanced safety, especially given the area's recent crime trend.