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

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 41.2% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This significant improvement underscores the area’s continued safety relative to national trends, a position reinforced by the dominance of violent crime—accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents—yet still remaining below the UK average for this category. The breakdown of crimes reveals that violence and sexual offences (13 cases) were the most prevalent, followed by anti-social behaviour (6 cases) and public order offences (2 cases). These patterns may be influenced by the area’s coastal character and the seasonal context of May, which includes bank holidays and extended daylight hours that can drive outdoor socialising. While public order offences saw a sharp increase, the overall rate remains low, suggesting that local factors such as community engagement or policing efforts may be mitigating broader risks. The relatively low levels of property crime—only four incidents compared to 13 violent crimes—contrast with the UK average, where property crimes often dominate. This imbalance could reflect the area’s demographic profile, with fewer commercial spaces or higher levels of community vigilance. The seasonal context of May, with its mix of social events and outdoor activity, likely plays a role in shaping these patterns. Overall, the data illustrates a picture of a small built-up area where violent crime is a persistent but manageable concern, and where seasonal factors continue to influence the crime profile.

May 2023 saw a 100% increase in public order offences, rising from one to two incidents. This surge aligns with the seasonal context of longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which may contribute to heightened public order challenges. Burglary also doubled from zero to two cases, though the category remains well below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000). Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 80%, dropping from five to one incident—a decline consistent with the reduced likelihood of vandalism during warmer weather. Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 48.2% of all crimes, were 21% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000). This contrast highlights the area’s unique dynamics: while violent crime remains a concern, its rate is lower than national trends, possibly due to local policing strategies or community cohesion. Residents may find the sharp rise in public order incidents most striking, as it reflects a direct shift in crime patterns tied to seasonal activity.

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate in May 2023 rose 7.9% from the previous month, moving from 4.3 to 4.7 per 1,000 residents. While this marks a slight upward trend, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stood at 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the local rate equated to roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Monthly exposure calculations show that over the course of May, one crime occurred for every 215 residents—a statistic that provides a clearer sense of risk than daily averages alone. This rate, though modest, reflects the area’s low-crime profile despite the month-on-month increase. The population context is crucial: with 5,802 residents, even small shifts in crime numbers can influence per-capita rates. While the rise is notable, it remains far below national benchmarks, suggesting that local factors—such as seasonal activity or community initiatives—continue to play a stabilising role.