Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Folkestone and Hythe recorded a crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 in October 2024, placing it 11.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.5% of all incidents, a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 that exceeds the UK average by 16%. This suggests a higher concentration of violent crime in the area compared to the rest of the country, possibly linked to the town's character as a coastal resort with transient populations and nightlife activity. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 12.9% of incidents at 0.9 per 1,000, 30% below the UK average. This discrepancy may indicate effective community engagement or policing in addressing disruptive behaviour. Criminal damage and arson also featured prominently, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000—53% above the UK average—tied to the area's infrastructure or seasonal events like Halloween. October's transition into darker evenings, coupled with the clocks going back, may have influenced crime patterns, with increased opportunities for property-related offences during low-light periods. The data also shows a shift in the crime mix, with violent crime outpacing property crime for the first time in recent months, a trend that could be connected to the area's demographic profile or changes in local activity. While the overall rate remains favourable compared to the UK average, the rise in specific categories warrants continued monitoring to understand underlying drivers.

October 2024 saw a sharp 188.9% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 9 to 26 incidents. This jump may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased holiday travel or Halloween-related activity. Bicycle theft also surged by 150%, with reports doubling from 2 to 5, a trend that could reflect heightened outdoor activity or temporary vulnerabilities in securing bikes during darker evenings. Robbery incidents rose by 100%, from 1 to 2, though this remains a small number in absolute terms. Conversely, burglary fell by 32.3% (31 to 21), indicating improved security measures or seasonal deterrence. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime category, remained 30% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or local initiatives. The rise in violent crime—accounting for 42.5% of all incidents—exceeds the UK average by 16%, pointing to a shift in the crime mix towards more serious offences. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly for vehicle and bicycle-related crimes.

Folkestone and Hythe's crime rate in October 2024 rose 10.3% compared to September, marking a shift from the previous month's lower rate of 6.5 per 1,000 to the current 7.2 per 1,000. This increase, while still below the UK average, suggests a temporary uptick in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 26 crimes per day in October, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 139 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a population of 112,411. This monthly exposure figure, while not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics, provides a tangible measure of how crime impacts individual households. The rise in violent crime and specific property-related offences may reflect seasonal shifts, such as Halloween-related activity or changes in foot traffic patterns. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the rate remains lower than the UK average, the absolute number of crimes has increased, requiring attention to localized factors.