Littlestone-on-Sea Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate in June 2023 stood at 4.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 49.4% below the UK average of 8.5. This relative safety is underscored by a marked dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 56% of all incidents, compared to property crimes (20%). The seasonal shift into summer, with its associated increase in tourism and longer daylight hours, may have influenced patterns, particularly in public spaces and coastal areas. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, were 18% below the UK average, a figure consistent with the area’s character as a smaller, built-up coastal community with limited nightlife infrastructure. Anti-social behaviour, though down by two-thirds from May, remains a concern in localised pockets, likely tied to transient populations and summer events. The low crime rate overall reflects the area’s compact size and the absence of large-scale retail or industrial hubs, which typically drive higher volumes of property-related offences. However, the sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, drugs, and other theft highlight emerging risks that may be linked to the early stages of the tourist season. These trends suggest that while the area remains generally safe, targeted awareness is needed to address specific vulnerabilities, particularly in areas frequented by visitors.

June 2023 witnessed sharp increases in three categories: criminal damage and arson, drugs, and other theft, each doubling from May’s figures. These jumps, though not statistically significant in absolute terms, signal a shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences (5 total) now accounting for 20% of all crimes — a decline from earlier months. Violent crimes, however, remained the most prevalent category, comprising 56% of all incidents, and were 18% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. The rise in drug-related offences, which now stand at 0.3 per 1,000 (43% above the UK average), may reflect increased foot traffic during the start of the tourist season. Residents are advised to remain vigilant in public spaces, particularly those near coastal areas and local amenities, where these increases were most pronounced.

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate in June 2023 fell by 7.3% compared to May, dropping from 4.7 to 4.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend of reduced anti-social behaviour, which fell by two-thirds, and a 50% drop in burglary. However, the monthly exposure figure reveals that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 232 residents — a rate that, while low, underscores the need for vigilance in specific areas. Daily crime counts show an average of one incident per day, a figure that may seem modest but reflects the concentrated nature of certain offences. With a population of 5,802, the area’s small size means that individual incidents can have a more pronounced local impact, particularly in high-traffic public spaces. The contrast with the UK average, where crime rates are nearly double, further highlights Littlestone-on-Sea’s relative safety, though targeted increases in specific categories warrant closer attention.