Upper Harbledown Crime Rate

Upper Harbledown is a highly secure residential area, with an excellent safety score of 89/100. Its overall crime rate is 40.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. The crime trend in Upper Harbledown has seen a 14.0% decrease year-over-year, indicating an improving safety environment for its population of 1,210. While the area is exceptionally 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 in the area.

In Upper Harbledown, violence and sexual offences are the most significant crime category, accounting for 44.9% of all reports, at a rate of 18.2 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is the second most common concern at 12.2%, followed by 'other theft' at 12.2%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 18.2 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, vehicle crime and 'other theft' are the main contributors, each accounting for 12.2% of total crime. Burglary and criminal damage each represent 8.2% of reports. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while interpersonal offences are the most frequent issue, the risk of property crime is substantial for a village. The relatively high percentage of vehicle crime and theft suggest that opportunistic offences targeting property and cars are a key concern for the community. Protective measures should focus on deterring these incidents, especially during the high-risk night-time hours.

The crime trend in Upper Harbledown is moving in a positive direction, with a 14.0% decrease in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a relatively consistent level of activity throughout the year, with a notable peak in March reaching a rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents.

Other active months included February (4.1), May (4.1), and November (4.1). The year began with a very low rate of 1.7 in January and recorded the same low rate in July. The year ended with a rate of 3.3 in December. This overall downward trend is encouraging for the community, suggesting that the local safety environment is improving. The consistent monthly figures, with only minor fluctuations, indicate that crime in Upper Harbledown occurs at a steady and predictable rate throughout the year. For residents, this means that the risk of encountering criminal activity is low and decreasing.

How To Keep Safe in Upper Harbledown

The most common crime in Upper Harbledown is violence and sexual offences, followed by vehicle crime and 'other theft'. Maintaining safety in the village involves a mix of personal awareness and proactive property security.

1. Focus on Night-time Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 53% 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 Burglary: With burglary peaking in the afternoon and evening, ensure your home is fully secure during these windows, especially if you are away.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups is effective for identifying and reporting suspicious activity or vehicles in the village.
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.

Upper Harbledown exhibits clear crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 45% and 52% 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 more prominent, accounting for 28% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at a substantial 53% of all incidents. Burglary remains a consistent threat throughout the day, peaking in the afternoon (25%) and evening (24%). These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the late-night hours present the greatest risk for vehicle security. 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, Upper Harbledown offers a peaceful and secure environment, comparing very favourably to its neighbours. When compared to Rough Common, which has a higher crime rate of 52.6 per 1,000, and Chartham (53.0), Upper Harbledown is significantly safer. It is also more secure than urban Canterbury. Nearby Blean (17.9) and Dunkirk (0.0) report lower rates, highlighting the very low-crime character of this rural belt. For those looking for a safe, residential environment within the Canterbury district, Upper Harbledown provides a safety profile that is among the best in the region, offering a quiet and secure character.

With a property crime rate of 18.2 per 1,000 residents and a decreasing trend of 14.0%, Upper Harbledown is a safe place to own a home, but the presence of vehicle crime (12.2%) and burglary (8.2%) 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 quiet 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 Upper Harbledown, where vehicle crime peaks at a substantial 53% 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.