Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Folkestone and Hythe recorded 951 crimes in August 2023, translating to a crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents—a figure 4.9% above the UK average of 8.1. For an area with a population of 112,411, this equates to roughly 0.85 crimes per resident, a manageable but noticeable level of activity. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.1% of all reported crimes (362 incidents), a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents—21% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, with 137 incidents (14.4%), while criminal damage and arson accounted for 109 cases (11.5%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a coastal resort, where summer tourism and transient populations may contribute to higher rates of public order and violent crimes. Seasonal factors, such as the peak holiday period in August, likely play a role in the 25.4% increase in public order offences compared to July, as well as the 25% rise in vehicle crime, which could be linked to increased traffic and unsecured vehicles in popular tourist areas. Conversely, the sharp decline in possession of weapons by 68.8% suggests potential improvements in enforcement or reduced opportunities for such crimes during this period. The overall crime rate, while slightly above the UK average, remains relatively low in absolute terms, indicating that local efforts to manage safety may be effective, though targeted interventions could further address specific challenges like violence and sexual offences.

August 2023 marked a 25.4% increase in public order offences, rising from 63 to 79 incidents—a surge likely linked to the summer tourist season, where crowded public spaces may contribute to disruptions. Vehicle crime also rose by 25%, from 16 to 20 incidents, potentially reflecting increased traffic or unsecured vehicles in popular areas. In contrast, possession of weapons fell sharply by 68.8%, from 16 to 5 cases—a trend that may reflect heightened enforcement or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, with a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents—21% above the UK average. This disparity highlights the area’s unique challenges, particularly in managing incidents that may be exacerbated by late-night activity or transient populations. Shoplifting rates were 33% below the UK average, suggesting that local retail strategies or community engagement may be effective in deterring such crimes. The drop in bicycle theft by 42.9%, from 7 to 4 cases, could indicate improved security measures or reduced opportunities for theft during the summer months.

August 2023 saw a minor decline in Folkestone and Hythe’s crime rate compared to July, falling from 8.6 to 8.5 per 1,000 residents—a 1.5% reduction that suggests no abrupt spikes in activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 31 crimes per day, a figure that translates to roughly one crime for every 118 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of the scale of crime relative to the population, illustrating that while the rate remains notable, it does not overwhelm the community’s capacity to manage safety concerns. When contextualised for the local demographic, the 8.5 rate places the district just above the UK average, but the consistency of the rate over recent months suggests that local factors—such as tourism and seasonal patterns—may be more influential than sudden shifts. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that the number of crimes, while present, does not overwhelm the community’s capacity to manage safety concerns, though targeted interventions may still be necessary to address specific crime types like violence and sexual offences.