Woodnesborough Crime Rate

Woodnesborough is a secure and peaceful urban settlement within the Dover local authority, featuring an overall crime rate of 46.3 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in an excellent safety score of 90/100. However, the community has seen a 16.9% increase in crime over the past year, a trend that warrants attention from residents. The property crime rate is also notably low at 15.4, compared to the UK average of 32.9. As a residential area situated near the town of Sandwich, Woodnesborough offers a high degree of security for its residents. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the crime types and trends that contribute to the area's safe environment.

Crime Breakdown in Woodnesborough

Woodnesborough is a safe residential area where violence and sexual offences are the most frequent incidents, accounting for 24 crimes or 26.7% of the total. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 16.7% and 'other theft' at 12.2%. While personal safety is a key concern, property-related crime is a consistent factor in the local data.

The overall property crime rate in Woodnesborough is 15.4 per 1,000 people, which is less than half the UK average of 32.9. This category includes 'other theft' (12.2%), vehicle crime (8.9%), burglary (3.3%), and bicycle theft (1.1%). Criminal damage and arson also contribute 7.8% to the total. For residents, this indicates that while the risk of home burglary is statistically low, vehicles and outdoor property are more frequent targets for opportunist criminals. The combined total of theft, vehicle crime, and burglary suggests that property protection, especially for vehicles parked overnight, is a priority for homeowners in Woodnesborough. Maintaining high standards of security for cars and outbuildings is essential for preserving the area's safe environment.

Crime Trends in Woodnesborough

The long-term trend for Woodnesborough is positive overall, though there has been a 16.9% increase in crime year-over-year. This indicates that the area has become slightly more active recently. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked in July 2025 at 9.8 per 1,000 people, with another notable high in November 2024 at 6.7.

Conversely, the area saw its lowest activity in December 2024 and March 2025, with the rate dropping to just 1.5 per 1,000. These fluctuations show a clear increase in crime during the summer months. Despite these shifts, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average. For residents, this means that while vigilance is always required, the statistical likelihood of being a victim of crime remains low compared to larger urban centres.

How To Keep Safe in Woodnesborough

The most common crime in Woodnesborough is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and 'other theft'. While the area is very safe, taking these steps can help maintain your security.

1. Pay close attention to vehicle security, as vehicle crime is a notable contributor to local statistics, especially during the night (49% of night-time reports). Always park in a well-lit area or a secure garage.
2. Ensure your home is locked and secure during the evening and early morning hours, as these are the times when burglary is most likely to occur (15-16% of incidents).
3. Be mindful of 'other theft' in public and residential areas; keep valuables out of sight and secure any outdoor equipment or bicycles.
4. Keep the perimeter of your property well-defined and well-lit to deter opportunist criminal damage or vandalism, which accounts for 7.8% of local crime.
5. Join or support your local neighbourhood watch scheme to stay informed about any unusual activity or specific safety concerns in the Woodnesborough community.

Crime Time Patterns in Woodnesborough

Criminal activity in Woodnesborough follows distinct patterns throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 57% and 62% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunist theft is most likely to occur during standard daylight hours when residents may be away from their homes.

As evening approaches, the focus shifts toward vehicle crime and burglary. Between 6pm and midnight, vehicle crime accounts for 23% of incidents. The most significant shift occurs during the night-time hours (12am to 6am), where vehicle crime surges to a high 49% of all reported incidents. Burglary also remains a factor during this period at 16%. This data indicates that while the area is very safe during the day, vehicle security is under the greatest threat during the hours of darkness, requiring consistent and automated protection.

Woodnesborough is one of the safer residential options in the region, especially when compared to its larger neighbours. It is substantially safer than Sandwich, which has a much higher crime rate of 112.0, and also outperforms Eastry (49.2). It is statistically similar to Wingham (36.2), though Woodnesborough has seen a slightly more significant increase in crime recently. In contrast, the very small, tranquil villages of Worth and Weddington recorded no crimes. This comparison highlights Woodnesborough's status as a safe residential area that is currently experiencing a slight rise in local activity, making it more active than the most remote rural settlements but much more secure than the main urban centres.

In Woodnesborough, where the property crime rate is a low 15.4 per 1,000 but vehicle crime is a major night-time concern (49% of incidents), the limitations of traditional security are obvious. Reactive systems like standard CCTV or doorbell cameras only provide footage after a crime has been committed. For residents here, the objective is to prevent any interference with their vehicles or property in the first place.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it identifies potential threats as they approach your home or driveway. For example, scOS can recognize a person loitering near your vehicle at 3am and trigger an immediate response, such as activating high-intensity security lights or an audible warning. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on and often deters them within 60 seconds. With multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification, scOS provides a level of professional protection that actively maintains Woodnesborough's high safety standards by preventing crime before it happens, rather than just recording it.