The question of why violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Littlestone-on-Sea, a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Folkestone and Hythe, requires a careful examination of the available data. While it's true that these offences constitute a significant portion of recorded crime, it's crucial to contextualise this within the overall picture of safety and crime rates.
According to current data, Littlestone-on-Sea has a crime rate of 40.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the United Kingdom’s average crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000. The area boasts a commendable safety score of 89 out of 100, significantly exceeding the national average of 79. This suggests that, despite the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, residents generally perceive Littlestone-on-Sea as a safe place to live.
The reasons behind the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, even in seemingly safe areas, can be complex. It’s important to note that reported crime statistics don’t always reflect the full picture of criminal activity. Factors such as increased reporting rates, improved police recording practices, and changes in crime definitions can all influence the numbers. Furthermore, the specific nature of violence and sexual offences can make them more likely to be reported than other types of crime. It’s possible that the relatively small population of Littlestone-on-Sea (5802) also contributes to the proportional representation of these crimes in the statistics – a smaller population can mean that even a relatively small number of incidents can have a larger impact on the crime rate per 1,000.
It is important to remember that the data represents reported incidents only and doesn't account for unreported crimes. Further investigation would be needed to understand the specific factors driving these offences within Littlestone-on-Sea. However, the high safety score and comparatively low crime rate indicate that the area remains relatively safe, despite this particular trend.