Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Folkestone and Hythe's crime rate for January 2026 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 5.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This consistent performance relative to national benchmarks underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or community-focused initiatives. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.5%) and shoplifting (8.3%). These figures align with the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential, tourist, and retail zones. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday lulls, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall—likely contributed to the lower-than-average rates of shoplifting and vehicle crime, which are typically higher in areas with dense commercial activity. However, the data also reveals notable discrepancies in crime distribution: drug-related offences in Folkestone and Hythe are 79% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect local socioeconomic factors or unmet community needs. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remains consistently lower than the UK average, suggesting successful community engagement efforts. The overall crime picture illustrates a balance between persistent challenges in specific categories and relative success in others, requiring targeted interventions to address emerging trends while maintaining existing gains.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in January 2026 was a 200% increase in bicycle theft, rising from one reported incident to three. This sharp spike may be linked to seasonal factors, such as increased cycling during shorter daylight hours or post-holiday disruptions in local infrastructure. Concurrently, 'other crime' saw a 146.2% increase, reflecting a broad category that includes unclassified incidents or emerging patterns not captured by more specific categories. Possession of weapons also rose by 70%, from 10 to 17 cases, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 186% and warrants attention for local safety planning. In contrast, robbery incidents fell by 63.6%, from 11 to 4, potentially due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the post-holiday period. The decrease in criminal damage and arson by 17.1% may align with seasonal trends, as colder weather limits outdoor activity and the likelihood of such offences. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in the area, with some categories showing marked volatility while others remain stable.

Folkestone and Hythe's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity, though localized changes in specific categories may reflect seasonal or situational factors. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 23 crimes per day, a figure that contextualizes the volume of incidents within the local context. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 156 residents over the course of the month. While this rate is lower than the UK average, the distribution of crime types reveals distinct local patterns. For instance, drug-related offences and 'other crime' categories are significantly above the UK average, potentially reflecting local challenges or community dynamics. These figures, when viewed alongside population-specific data, provide a clearer picture of how crime impacts daily life in the area.