The question of whether Southfleet is safe to walk around at night requires a nuanced look at the available data. Southfleet, a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Dartford, has a population of 1795. Overall, the crime rate in Southfleet is 50.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. This suggests that, on the whole, Southfleet experiences less crime than many other areas in the United Kingdom. The overall safety score for Southfleet is 89/100, further reinforcing this positive assessment, with a UK average of 79/100.
However, the crucial element for your question relates to nighttime safety. The night safety score for Southfleet is notably low, standing at just 14/100. This indicates that residents perceive the area as less safe after dark. While the violent crime rate is 13.4 per 1,000, this doesn't necessarily explain the low night safety score, which often reflects concerns about potential harassment, antisocial behaviour, or simply a feeling of unease.
It’s important to understand that safety scores are subjective and based on perceptions as well as reported crime. A lower night safety score could be influenced by factors like limited street lighting, fewer people on the streets, or concerns about specific incidents that haven't necessarily resulted in recorded crime. The data doesn’t provide specific details about the nature of these concerns.
Therefore, while Southfleet's overall crime statistics are reassuring, the low night safety score suggests exercising caution when walking around at night. It is always advisable to be mindful of your surroundings, particularly in areas with less foot traffic and inadequate lighting.