Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Folkestone and Hythe’s crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents in November 2023 places it 2.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This coastal town’s crime profile reflects a mix of local dynamics and seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 46.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.9%) and criminal damage and arson (9.3%). These figures contrast with national trends, where violence and sexual offences average 2.6 per 1,000. The area’s higher rate in this category may partly explain its overall position relative to the UK, though the lower rates for property crimes like burglary (41% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (40% below) suggest effective local policing or environmental factors. November’s shorter daylight hours and events such as Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping likely influence crime patterns, with public order offences and shoplifting potentially rising due to increased foot traffic. However, the absence of significant spikes in these categories this month indicates that local initiatives or community engagement may be tempering seasonal pressures. The area’s crime picture underscores the combination of coastal tourism, seasonal activity, and local law enforcement strategies.

November 2023 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime (+107.1%), possession of weapons (+100.0%), and 'other crime' (+57.9%), though these remain below UK averages in some categories. Vehicle crime rose from 14 to 29 incidents, possibly linked to increased car usage during the holiday season or changes in parking patterns. Conversely, drugs offences fell by 40%, from 40 to 24, which may reflect seasonal shifts in illicit activity or targeted enforcement efforts. Burglary decreased by 20.7%, from 29 to 23, aligning with the area’s 41% below the UK average for this category. The high rate of violence and sexual offences (3.4 per 1,000) is 31% above the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in this area. Anti-social behaviour (0.9 per 1,000) is 14% below the UK average, due to community initiatives or effective local policing. Residents may find the 27 daily crime figure (816 total crimes over 30 days) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels, though this remains lower than many comparable coastal towns.

Folkestone and Hythe’s crime rate in November 2023 (7.3 per 1,000) was 1.9% lower than the previous month’s rate of 7.4 per 1,000, indicating a stable trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 138 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in a way that separates it from daily fluctuations. This translates to a relatively low frequency compared to larger urban centres but remains consistent with the area’s coastal character, where crime is often concentrated in specific zones like the town centre or tourist areas. The daily crime count of 27 incidents per day (based on 816 total crimes) is a local metric that highlights the need for vigilance, though it remains below the UK average when scaled to population size. The area’s population of 112,411 means that each resident faces a lower risk of victimisation than in densely populated regions, but the higher-than-average rate of violence and sexual offences suggests that certain neighbourhoods or demographics may require additional resources. This comparison underscores the importance of tailoring local crime reduction strategies to the unique needs of a coastal community, where tourism, seasonal events, and geographic isolation shape the crime profile differently than in urban or industrial areas.