Hawkinge Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hawkinge's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 10% improvement over the UK average of 8.0. This figure, while slightly higher than the previous month's rate of 6.2, reflects a broader trend of relative safety within the built-up area. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 45.9% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.7%) and criminal damage and arson (13.1%). The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings and the approach of Halloween—may have influenced the types of offences recorded. For instance, the surge in criminal damage and arson could be linked to increased vandalism during the autumn months, while anti-social behaviour might correlate with the social dynamics of a smaller, more tightly-knit community. Despite these challenges, Hawkinge's performance in several categories, such as burglary and public order offences, significantly outperformed national averages, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. The relatively low rate of property crimes, with only 11 incidents reported, further highlights the area's resilience compared to other UK locations. These findings underscore a combination of local factors and national trends, with Hawkinge demonstrating both vulnerabilities and strengths in its crime profile.

October 2023 saw a 166.7% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 8 incidents. This surge, combined with a 100% rise in both possession of weapons and drugs offences, points to shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent issue, contributing 19.7% of all crimes and exceeding the UK average by 9%. Conversely, several categories showed marked declines: other theft fell by 85.7%, burglary dropped by 33.3%, and public order offences decreased by 25%. These reductions may reflect targeted policing efforts or seasonal changes, such as the end of summer activities. The area's public order crime rate was 32% below the UK average, suggesting a relatively stable community environment despite the spikes in other categories. For residents, the significant drop in burglary—a 41% reduction compared to the UK average—offers a tangible reassurance of improved safety in this category.

Hawkinge's crime rate in October 2023 rose by 15.1% compared to the previous month, climbing from 6.2 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, still places the area 10% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that may reflect the seasonal rhythm of October, with darker evenings and Halloween events potentially influencing local patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 139 residents, a rate that, when scaled to the population of 8,492, highlights the relative safety of the area despite the month-on-month rise. This monthly exposure figure provides context for residents, showing that while crime is present, it remains proportionally low compared to national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that Hawkinge's crime levels are manageable within its community framework, even as local factors drive incremental changes.