Hawkinge Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Hawkinge, 3.9 crimes were reported in December 2024 — a figure 45.1% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime per 257 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that highlights the area’s relatively low exposure to crime compared to national benchmarks. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, which made up 42.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.1%). These patterns align with seasonal factors: December’s dark evenings, holiday-related absences, and the Christmas shopping peak may have influenced crime dynamics. While violent crime remains the dominant category, the overall rate is significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting Hawkinge’s built-up area within Folkestone and Hythe may benefit from a combination of community cohesion, effective local policing, and the area’s character as a smaller, commuter-oriented town. The lower incidence of property crime — such as vehicle crime and burglary, both at 0.2 per 1,000 — further reinforces the area’s relative safety compared to national trends.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime, burglary, and other crime, each rising by 100% from November. This jump in vehicle crime may reflect heightened holiday travel or increased vehicle idling in residential areas during the festive season. Conversely, other theft fell by 60% (from 5 to 2), possibly due to reduced retail activity or seasonal closures. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remained 34% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), a disparity that could be attributed to Hawkinge’s smaller population and community-focused policing. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 37.5%, linked to festive events or local initiatives that channel public activity into controlled spaces. The area’s performance on drug-related offences was particularly notable: Hawkinge’s rate of 0.1 per 1,000 was 58% below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000, suggesting a lower prevalence of drug-related issues compared to national benchmarks. These shifts underscore the impact of seasonal rhythms on crime patterns, with December’s unique blend of holiday activity and community-focused measures creating a distinct local profile.

Hawkinge’s December 2024 crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 represents a 21.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.0 per 1,000, indicating a sustained decline in overall crime. When viewed on a daily basis, this translates to roughly one reported crime per day — a figure that, while not insignificant, is consistent with the area’s historical trends and its status as a smaller built-up area. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 257 residents experienced a reported crime, a statistic that contextualises the risk in terms of personal likelihood. With a population of 8,492, Hawkinge’s crime profile remains markedly different from the UK average: for example, its rate of violence and sexual offences is 34% below the national figure, and anti-social behaviour is 36% lower. This suggests that local factors — such as a lower population density, stronger community ties, or effective policing strategies — may contribute to the area’s relative safety. The comparison to the UK average also highlights Hawkinge’s strengths in managing property crime, with vehicle crime and burglary both significantly below national levels. These figures, when scaled to the local population, offer residents a clearer picture of their everyday risk, reinforcing the idea that Hawkinge’s crime environment is shaped by its unique demographic and geographic context.