Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2023, Folkestone and Hythe recorded a crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents, 3.6% above the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This figure, while modest in absolute terms, translates to one crime occurring for every 116 residents over the course of the month—a daily risk that may feel more pronounced in a coastal town experiencing peak summer tourism. The area’s crime profile was dominated by violent and sexual offences, which accounted for 41.8% of all reported crimes, a share significantly higher than the UK average for this category. This aligns with the seasonal context of July, a month marked by festivals, open-air events, and the departure of schoolchildren, all of which may increase opportunities for crime. Anti-social behaviour (13.7% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (10.0%) followed, though both remained below the UK average in some cases. The localised nature of these crimes—often concentrated in areas with high foot traffic or during late-night events—suggests that the town’s character as a tourist destination and coastal resort plays a role in shaping its crime patterns. While the overall rate is slightly above the UK average, the composition of crimes in Folkestone and Hythe reflects a unique interplay between seasonal activity and community dynamics, rather than a uniformly high-risk environment.

July 2023 saw a sharp increase in 'Other crime' (+118.2%), rising from 22 to 48 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified or less common offences, may partly explain the overall rise in the area’s crime rate. Robbery also doubled, from one to two incidents, a jump that, while small in absolute terms, highlights a concerning trend in personal safety. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 56.8%, dropping from 37 to 16, possibly due to reduced car usage during the summer or increased police presence in key areas. Anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 13.7% of total crimes, remained below the UK average by 15%, a contrast to the surge in violent offences. The area’s violent crime rate (3.6 per 1,000) is 29% above the UK average, a stark figure that may be linked to the town’s summer tourism and the associated increase in public events.

Folkestone and Hythe’s crime rate in July 2023 rose 8.3% from June’s 7.9 per 1,000 to 8.6 per 1,000, marking a notable upward trend. This increase translates to 31 reported crimes per day on average, a figure that, while local to the area, provides a daily snapshot of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 116 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the burden of crime on a relatively small proportion of the population. However, this figure must be contextualised: with a population of 112,411, even a small percentage can represent hundreds of incidents. The shift in crime types from June to July reflects seasonal changes, with violent crimes and anti-social behaviour surging during the peak tourist season. This suggests that the influx of visitors and the associated increase in public events may have contributed to the rise in reported incidents, though the exact causal link remains to be explored.