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

Littlestone-on-Sea’s October 2023 crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents marked a continued decline from the UK average of 8.0, placing the area 55% below the national benchmark. This figure reflects a broader trend in the built-up area, where crime has remained consistently low despite seasonal factors such as Halloween and the transition into darker evenings. The breakdown of crimes highlights a dominance of violent offences, with 12 incidents (57% of the total) attributed to violence and sexual offences. This category’s rate (2.1 per 1,000) is 22% below the UK average, a disparity that may be influenced by the area’s coastal geography and limited urban density. Property crimes, while fewer in number (5 incidents), accounted for 24% of the total, with criminal damage and arson (3 incidents) and other theft (2 incidents) emerging as notable subcategories. The latter’s 100% month-on-month increase could be tied to seasonal retail activity or increased foot traffic during October. The area’s low crime profile is further reinforced by its small population (5,802 residents) and the absence of high-risk environments typically associated with higher crime rates, such as major transport corridors or large-scale commercial centres. This combination of factors suggests that Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime picture is shaped by its unique character as a coastal built-up area, where community cohesion and environmental factors may contribute to the sustained safety observed in recent months.

October saw a notable shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes making up 57% of the total (12 incidents), compared to property crimes at 24% (5 incidents). This imbalance suggests a focus on interpersonal offences over theft or burglary, a pattern consistent with seasonal factors like Halloween and shorter evenings. Among specific categories, other theft rose by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents), likely linked to increased foot traffic or seasonal shopping activity. Meanwhile, other crime fell sharply by two-thirds (from 3 to 1 incidents), possibly reflecting a reduction in minor disputes or unreported incidents. The town’s violent crime rate (2.1 per 1,000) is 22% below the UK average, a disparity that may stem from the area’s relatively low population density and the absence of high-risk environments such as major transport hubs or nightlife districts. This contrast with the UK average highlights the unique characteristics of Littlestone-on-Sea, where crime prevention efforts may be more effective or the community more cohesive.

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate in October 2023 fell by 12.6% compared to September, dropping from 4.1 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This continues a trend of declining rates observed in recent months, though the area remains significantly safer than the UK average. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly one crime per day in October, a figure that reflects the low overall volume of incidents. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 276 residents over the course of the month—a stark contrast to the UK’s much higher monthly exposure. The population context further underscores the area’s relative safety: with 5,802 residents, the small built-up area’s crime statistics are shaped by its coastal location and limited density, which may naturally limit opportunities for certain types of crime. While the monthly exposure figure is low, this does not account for unreported incidents or variations in policing coverage, which could influence the data’s completeness.