Littlestone-on-Sea Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 5,802 residents, 20 reported crimes in August 2024 equate to one crime for every 290 people—a stark contrast to the UK average of 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents places it 57.3% below the national average, reflecting a markedly safer environment than the UK as a whole. The breakdown reveals a distinct pattern: violence and sexual offences (10 cases) accounted for 50% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (4 cases, 20% of total) and other theft (2 cases, 10%). This emphasis on violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as August is a peak holiday month for coastal towns like Littlestone-on-Sea. Empty homes during the summer, combined with increased foot traffic from tourists, may partly explain the elevated share of violence and sexual offences. However, the absence of significant property crime—despite the area’s proximity to the coast—suggests effective local policing or community vigilance. The UK’s average rate for violence and sexual offences (2.7 per 1,000) is 37% lower than Littlestone-on-Sea’s 1.7 per 1,000, yet the town’s overall safety remains an outlier. This data underscores the unique character of Littlestone-on-Sea, where a small population and seasonal rhythms create a crime profile distinct from both urban centres and other rural areas.

August 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with three categories experiencing 100% increases from the previous month: drugs (0 to 1 case), other theft (0 to 2 cases), and other crime (0 to 2 cases). These rises, though modest in absolute terms, suggest emerging trends that warrant attention. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, dropping from 2 to 1 case—a decline consistent with the summer months, when outdoor activities and tourism might reduce opportunities for such crimes. The balance of crime types also shifted significantly: violent crimes (10 cases) now constitute 50% of all incidents, compared to property crimes (3 cases, 15%). This diverges from the UK average, where property crimes typically make up a larger share. Violence and sexual offences in Littlestone-on-Sea are 37% below the UK average (1.7 vs 2.7 per 1,000), but the category of 'other crime' is 87% above the UK rate (0.3 vs 0.2 per 1,000). This discrepancy highlights the need for targeted local analysis. For residents, the daily crime count—roughly one incident per day—provides a tangible reference point for assessing risk in a community of this size.

Littlestone-on-Sea’s crime rate rose by 5.5% from 3.3 per 1,000 in July to 3.5 per 1,000 in August 2024, though it remains exceptionally low compared to the UK average. This increase, while statistically significant, is dwarfed by the town’s overall safety profile. Over the course of August, one crime was reported for every 290 residents—a figure that illustrates the rarity of incidents in a community of just over 5,800 people. To contextualise this further, the daily crime count averages 0.65 incidents per day, meaning a resident has a 1-in-440 chance of being directly involved in a crime over the month. This low frequency contrasts sharply with the UK average of 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, which translates to a 1-in-124 chance per person. The town’s small population and coastal location likely contribute to this disparity, as larger urban areas typically experience higher crime rates due to population density and economic factors. However, the 5.5% monthly increase in August raises questions about transient factors, such as seasonal tourism or temporary spikes in specific crime types. For residents, the data reinforces that Littlestone-on-Sea is a low-crime area, with most crimes clustered in violent and sexual offences rather than property-related incidents.