Hawley (Dartford) Crime Rate

Hawley (Dartford) is a residential settlement with an overall crime rate of 59.9 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The area is characterised by a high safety score of 85/100, indicating it is one of the safer places to live in the region, well exceeding the UK average safety score of 78. However, recent data shows that crime in Hawley is on an increasing trend, with a 13.5% rise year-over-year. While the absolute frequency of crime remains low compared to neighbouring urban centres, this upward movement indicates a shift in local activity. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime types and temporal patterns to help residents better understand their local safety environment.

Crime Breakdown in Hawley (Dartford)

In Hawley, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, making up 41.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 14.7% and vehicle crime at 7.3%. These figures indicate that interpersonal offences and damage to property are the primary concerns for the local community.

Property crime in Hawley occurs at a rate of 23.1 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 32.9. This total includes 16 incidents of criminal damage and arson (14.7%), 8 vehicle crimes (7.3%), and 8 burglaries (7.3%). While the overall property crime rate is relatively low, the high percentage of criminal damage and the equal share of burglary and vehicle crime suggest that residents should remain proactive about protecting their homes and cars. The low rate of shoplifting (1.8%) reflects Hawley’s primarily residential nature, meaning crime is more likely to directly affect households rather than commercial entities. For homeowners, securing the property perimeter is the most effective way to deter the damage and theft offences that characterise the local area.

Crime Trends in Hawley (Dartford)

The crime rate in Hawley has experienced an upward trend, increasing by 13.5% over the past year. Monthly data shows some fluctuations; the year began with a rate of 6.1 in November 2024 and saw a low of 3.3 in December. However, rates climbed back up to a peak of 6.6 in March and July 2025.

The year ended with a consistent rate of 5.0 from September through October 2025. While the absolute numbers remain low, the 13.5% year-over-year increase serves as a reminder that local safety dynamics can change. Hawley remains a high-safety area with an 85/100 score, but residents should be mindful of this growth in reported incidents and consider maintaining high standards of personal and property security to adapt to the increasing activity.

How To Keep Safe in Hawley (Dartford)

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Hawley, making up 41.3% of reports. While the area remains very safe with an 85/100 safety score, being aware of your surroundings and taking simple precautions is the best way to maintain personal security.

Consider these localized safety tips for Hawley:

• Since burglary peaks in the afternoon (12 pm to 6 pm), always ensure that all windows and doors are double-locked before leaving the house for school runs or work.
• Given that vehicle crime accounts for 38% of night-time reports, always park in a garage or a well-lit driveway, and consider using a physical steering lock as an extra deterrent.
• Keep the exterior of your property well-maintained and well-lit to deter the criminal damage and arson that make up 14.7% of local crime.
• Stay connected with your neighbours and join local safety groups to keep track of the 13.5% increase in local crime and share information on any suspicious activity.
• When walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit footpaths or wooded areas to maintain high personal safety.

Crime Timing in Hawley (Dartford)

Crime in Hawley follows distinct temporal patterns. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily influenced by theft and burglary. Between 12 pm and 6 pm, burglary accounts for 28% of reported incidents, while theft makes up 34%. This suggests that daytime opportunistic crime is the primary risk for residents when they are away from home.

As the day transitions into the evening (6 pm to 12 am), the nature of reported incidents shifts; 50% of crimes fall into the 'other' category, which typically includes anti-social behaviour and public order issues. Night-time (12 am to 6 am) presents a different risk profile altogether. During these early hours, vehicle crime becomes a more dominant threat, representing 38% of reports, while burglary also remains significant at 24%. This indicates that criminals target unattended property and vehicles under the cover of darkness. Residents can use this information to prioritize daytime home security and overnight vehicle protection.

Hawley is a relatively safe residential pocket within the Dartford local authority. Its crime rate of 59.9 is very similar to nearby South Darenth and Sutton at Hone (59.4) but significantly lower than the broader Dartford town area, which averages 104.1. It is also much safer than Darenth, which has a rate of 139.0. Only Swanley Village, with its negligible reported rate, is notably more secure. For those looking for a quiet residential environment with lower-than-average crime, Hawley offers a secure alternative to the more active urban and commercial centres nearby. however, the 13.5% increase in crime suggests residents should remain vigilant.

Protecting Your Property in Hawley (Dartford)

Hawley benefits from a lower-than-average property crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 people. However, the 13.5% increase in overall crime and the prevalence of criminal damage (14.7%) and burglary (7.3%) mean that residents should take property security seriously. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV cameras, are reactive. They only alert you after an intruder has already attempted to break in or provide you with footage of the damage after it has been done.

To truly secure a home in Hawley, proactive protection is required. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that monitors your property's perimeter in real-time. Instead of just recording a burglary at 2 pm—the peak time for break-ins in Hawley—scOS can detect the threat as it enters your property and trigger an autonomous response, such as activating floodlights or an audible warning. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Because scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to learn your family’s routines, it provides professional-grade security that prevents crime before it happens. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to address the rising crime trend in the area.