St Margaret's at Cliffe Crime Rate

St Margaret's at Cliffe is a highly desirable and secure urban settlement in the Dover local authority, boasting an overall crime rate of 49.4 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area an impressive safety score of 89/100. Furthermore, the community has seen a 15.2% decrease in crime over the past year, indicating a strong positive trend in local safety. The property crime rate is also notably low at 16.4, compared to the national average of 32.9. As a quiet residential area on the Kent coast, St Margaret's at Cliffe offers a peaceful environment with much lower incident rates than nearby urban centres. This report provides a detailed look at the crime types and trends that define the area's safety profile.

Crime Breakdown in St Margaret's at Cliffe

In St Margaret's at Cliffe, the most common crime category is violence and sexual offences, representing 33.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (19.8%) and criminal damage and arson (18.5%). While these three categories make up the majority of local crime, property-related offences are an important factor for residents to consider.

The property crime rate in the area is 16.4 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This category includes burglary (4.9%), 'other theft' (6.2%), and vehicle crime (3.1%). Shoplifting is remarkably low, at just 0.6% of total crime. For homeowners, this means that while the area is very safe overall, there is a consistent presence of criminal damage and a small but notable risk of burglary and theft. The relatively high percentage of criminal damage and arson (18.5%) suggests that property is more likely to be a target of vandalism or deliberate damage than traditional theft, making comprehensive property protection and perimeter security a priority for maintaining the area's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in St Margaret's at Cliffe

The long-term trend for St Margaret's at Cliffe is very positive, with an overall 15.2% decrease in crime year-over-year. This downward trajectory reflects a community that is becoming increasingly secure. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked in September 2025 at 6.4 per 1,000 people, with other busy periods in April and May (both at 5.5).

The quietest period was recorded in December 2024, with a crime rate of just 1.8 per 1,000. Despite these fluctuations, the general trend remains downward, which is an encouraging sign for current and prospective residents. The consistency of this decrease suggests that local safety initiatives are working effectively to maintain the high safety score and low incident volume that define this coastal settlement.

How To Keep Safe in St Margaret's at Cliffe

The most common crime in St Margaret's at Cliffe is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. While the area is very safe, taking these steps can help maintain your security.

1. Be mindful of property security, as criminal damage and arson account for a high 18.5% of local reports. Ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined and secure.
2. Given that burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur in the afternoon and early morning, always ensure your home is locked and your car is parked in a secure location.
3. If you witness anti-social behaviour in the village, report it to the local authorities; community vigilance is key to the area's 15.2% reduction in crime.
4. Keep outdoor lighting in good working order, especially around entry points and driveways, to deter opportunist vandalism or theft during the night.
5. Join the local neighbourhood watch to stay informed about any specific safety alerts or trends in the community, helping to keep the village a safe place for everyone.

Crime Time Patterns in St Margaret's at Cliffe

Criminal activity in St Margaret's at Cliffe shows distinct trends throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm to 6pm) is a notable period for theft and burglary, which account for 32% and 18% of crimes respectively. This suggests that residential properties may be targeted when residents are away or engaged in daily routines.

In the evening (6pm to 12am), the focus shifts significantly toward anti-social behaviour and public order, with 'other' crimes making up 69% of reported incidents. During the night-time hours (12am to 6am), the risk of vehicle crime increases to 21%, and burglary remains a factor at 18%. This indicates that while the area is statistically very safe, property and vehicle security are most under threat during the hours of darkness and the mid-afternoon, requiring consistent and automated protection.

St Margaret's at Cliffe is one of the safest settlements in the East Kent region. When compared to the town of Dover, which has a crime rate of 159.2, or Whitfield at 82.3, St Margaret's offers a much more secure and tranquil environment. It is statistically similar to Guston (47.6) and only slightly more active than Kingsdown, which recorded a very low rate of 23.9. This comparison positions St Margaret's at Cliffe as a premier choice for those seeking a low-crime residential area that still enjoys good local connectivity. The 15.2% reduction in local crime further reinforces its standing as a safe haven within the Dover local authority.

With a property crime rate of 16.4 per 1,000 people and a significant 18.5% of crime being criminal damage and arson, residents of St Margaret's at Cliffe benefit most from security that stops threats at the boundary. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a window has been smashed or a vehicle tampered with. In a safe area like this, the goal is to prevent any disruption to your home's peace and security.

scOS provides a proactive solution by using AI to monitor your property's perimeter 24/7. It identifies potential intruders or suspicious activity before they reach your home, triggering autonomous responses like activating security lighting or audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise and deters criminals within the first 60 seconds. Because scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to learn your family’s routines, it avoids the false alarms common with DIY systems. For St Margaret's at Cliffe residents, scOS offers professional-grade protection that actively maintains the area’s high safety standards by preventing crime before it happens.