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

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents in November 2023 places it 49.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s relative safety compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, making up 50% of all reported incidents (11 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (7 cases, 31.8%). Despite violence being 27% below the UK average for this category, criminal damage and arson were 103% above the national rate. This divergence may reflect local factors, such as the proximity of Littlestone-on-Sea to Folkestone’s coastal tourism infrastructure, where seasonal events like Bonfire Night in November could temporarily elevate property-related crimes. The low overall rate aligns with the area’s small population (5,802 residents) and likely lower population density compared to major urban centres. However, the spike in criminal damage and arson warrants attention, as it suggests a specific vulnerability tied to local events or environmental factors. The seasonal context of November—marked by dark evenings, Black Friday shopping, and Bonfire Night—may also have influenced patterns, with shoplifting or property damage occurring more frequently during these periods. While the area’s crime picture remains generally low, the sharp contrast in specific categories highlights the need for targeted analysis of local triggers.

November 2023 saw a 133.3% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 7 cases. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in vehicle crime (from 0 to 1), suggests a possible link to seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night, which often involves fireworks and associated disturbances. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 50%, and violence and sexual offences decreased by 8.3%, potentially reflecting the end of university term activities or reduced foot traffic during colder evenings. The area’s violent crime rate (1.9 per 1,000) is 27% below the UK average, yet criminal damage and arson are 103% above the national figure, illustrating a unique crime mix. This contrast could be explained by Littlestone-on-Sea’s coastal location, where property damage might be more common due to transient populations or events. Residents may find the 8.3% reduction in violence reassuring, though the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson highlights a need for local awareness around November’s seasonal events.

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate rose slightly from 3.6 per 1,000 in October to 3.8 per 1,000 in November, a 4.7% increase. However, this remains exceptionally low when viewed through the lens of daily crime exposure: on average, one crime was reported per day in November. Over the course of the month, this equated to one reported crime for roughly every 264 residents, a figure that contextualises the area’s low crime levels against its population of 5,802. Compared to the UK average, Littlestone-on-Sea’s overall safety is striking, with its rate being nearly half that of the national average. This suggests that the area’s compact size and likely lower population density contribute to its crime profile. While the monthly exposure figure (1 in 264 residents) is a small number, this is a monthly aggregate, not a daily frequency. The slight increase in the crime rate from October to November may be attributed to seasonal factors such as the timing of Bonfire Night or increased retail activity around Black Friday, which could temporarily elevate certain types of crime. Nevertheless, the overall picture remains one of relative safety compared to the UK as a whole.