Dymchurch Crime Rate

Dymchurch Crime Overview

Dymchurch is an exceptionally safe urban settlement, recording an overall crime rate of 53.0 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, giving the area an impressive safety score of 86/100. The crime trend is also moving in a very positive direction, with a 13.0% decrease in total offences year-over-year. For its 3,546 residents, Dymchurch provides a very secure living environment that compares extremely well with both regional and national benchmarks. The data suggests that crime is very well-managed in this coastal community. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics and time-based patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Dymchurch

In Dymchurch, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 52.1% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a concern, making up 10.6% of reports, followed by other theft at 9.6%. These figures indicate that personal safety and community conduct are the primary focus for local policing in this coastal area.

Property crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a low rate of 13.5 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Vehicle crime accounts for 4.8% of total crime, while burglary and shoplifting each make up less than 2%. For residents, this suggests that Dymchurch is a very safe urban settlement with a low risk of property-related offences. However, the high percentage of violence and sexual offences (relative to total crime) highlights the importance of maintaining personal awareness.

Crime Trends in Dymchurch

Dymchurch has seen a significantly decreasing crime trend over the past year, with a 13.0% reduction in total offences. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated from a low of 2.3 in December 2024 to a peak of 7.3 in May 2025.

The first half of 2025 saw some volatility, with the rate rising significantly in May (7.3) and June (5.9). However, the rate showed a generally downward trajectory in the summer and autumn, falling to 3.4 in September and 2.5 in October. This overall downward trend and the low monthly figures confirm that Dymchurch remains an exceptionally safe and secure environment for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Dymchurch

The most common crime in Dymchurch is violence and sexual offences. To enhance personal safety, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings and take simple precautions.

When walking through the area, especially after dark, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit paths or alleyways. If you are socialising late, it is always safer to travel with friends or use a reputable taxi service.

Given the rate of anti-social behaviour (10.6%) and other theft (9.6%), residents should ensure their homes and gardens are well-secured. Simple steps like installing motion-activated security lights and keeping gates locked can be very effective deterrents. For vehicle owners, the 4.8% rate of vehicle crime suggests that you should ensure you never leave valuables on display and always double-lock your car. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group can also help you stay informed about local issues and work with your neighbours to maintain the area's high safety standards. Promptly reporting any suspicious behaviour to the police is also key to keeping Dymchurch safe.

Crime Patterns in Dymchurch

Crime in Dymchurch shows clear variations throughout the day. In the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the most prominent issue at 60%, while vehicle crime accounts for 14%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft remains high at 68%, and burglary increases to 5%. This suggests that daytime activity is heavily focused on retail and property-related offences.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, spike to 46% of total incidents. Theft drops to 31%. Night-time (12am - 6am) brings a shift in risk, with vehicle crime reaching its daily peak at 46% and burglary also peaking at 7%. This data indicates that while theft is a major daytime concern, residents should be most vigilant about vehicle security during the late night and early morning hours.

Local Context: Nearby Areas

In the local area, Dymchurch’s safety profile is consistent with several of its neighbours. Its crime rate of 53.0 is very similar to St Mary's Bay (51.8). However, it is much lower than nearby New Romney, which has a much higher crime rate of 102.0 per 1,000. It is also safer than Lydd (69.6) but less safe than the exceptionally quiet Littlestone-on-Sea (38.6) and Lympne (28.0). This makes Dymchurch a very secure choice within the wider Folkestone and Hythe region, offering a peaceful residential environment that is notably safer than its more active neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in Dymchurch

With a low property crime rate of 13.5 per 1,000 people, Dymchurch is one of the safest areas in the region, but maintaining this high level of security still requires proactive measures. Traditional security systems like basic alarms and recording-only CCTV often fail to prevent crimes, instead only providing footage of the event after it has occurred.

scOS provides a more effective, proactive alternative. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can detect and flag potential threats before they ever reach your home. For the 2 households that experience burglary annually, and the others affected by vehicle crime and theft, scOS offers the ability to stop these incidents entirely. Features like multi-camera intelligence and vehicle verification ensure that suspicious activity is identified in real-time. By triggering autonomous responses like lighting or audible warnings, scOS can deter opportunistic criminals, ensuring your home remains a hard target. This proactive approach is the best way to ensure your property remains highly secure in Dymchurch.