Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remain the most significant category in Folkestone and Hythe, accounting for 38.7% of all reported crimes in February 2026. This marks a stark contrast to the UK average for this category, which stands at 2.3 per 1,000 residents—8% below the local rate of 2.5 per 1,000. The overall crime rate for the area was 6.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.6% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This slight edge over the national figure may partly explain the relatively low prevalence of vehicle crime and theft from the person, both of which are significantly below UK averages. However, the dominance of violent crime in this coastal district raises questions about the interplay of local factors, such as the town’s proximity to major transport routes and the seasonal rhythm of tourism. February, typically a low point for outdoor activity, may have seen increased indoor gatherings or disruptions linked to the pre-spring lull. Anti-social behaviour, which constitutes 18.5% of all crimes, also exceeds the UK average by 32%, suggesting persistent challenges in managing public order. The area’s profile as a commuter town and coastal resort may contribute to these patterns, with transient populations and high foot traffic exacerbating certain types of crime. While the overall rate is stable compared to the previous month, the prominence of violent crime underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

February 2026 saw a 69.2% increase in burglary, rising from 13 to 22 incidents—a sharp departure from the previous month’s trend. This surge, though still below the UK average for burglary by 20%, may reflect seasonal shifts or specific local vulnerabilities, such as increased property access during colder weather. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 35.1%, with 131 incidents recorded, 32% above the UK average. This could indicate heightened tensions in public spaces, linked to the area’s mix of residential and tourist areas. Conversely, public order offences fell by 43.8%, dropping from 32 to 18 incidents, a decline that may be tied to reduced outdoor activity during February. Bicycle theft increased by 66.7%, from 3 to 5 incidents, though this remains well below the UK average. This small but significant rise may signal the need for greater awareness around securing bikes in the town’s more populated areas. The crime mix in February also showed a pronounced focus on violent crime, which now constitutes nearly 40% of all incidents—substantially higher than the UK average for this category. This imbalance highlights the area’s distinct challenges compared to the national picture, where property crime often dominates.

Folkestone and Hythe’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 6.3 per 1,000 residents, a 1.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.4 per 1,000. This minor decline suggests stability in the broader crime picture, though the month-on-month shifts in specific categories reveal deeper trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 25 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of certain crime types. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 158 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, indicates the need for vigilance. When compared to the UK average, the area’s lower vehicle crime rate (0.2 per 1,000) and theft from the person (0.0 per 1,000) suggest a relatively secure environment for property and personal safety. However, the pronounced above-average rates for violence and anti-social behaviour highlight a divergence from the national norm, which may be influenced by local demographics and geography. The population context—112,411 residents—further underscores the importance of community-focused policing and public safety initiatives to address the specific challenges faced by this coastal district.