Rural Folkestone and Hythe Crime Rate

Rural Folkestone and Hythe Crime Overview

Rural Folkestone and Hythe is an exceptionally safe area, recording an overall crime rate of 57.3 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, giving the area an impressive safety score of 87/100. The crime trend is currently stable, with a marginal 0.8% decrease in total offences year-over-year. For its 10,986 residents, Rural Folkestone and Hythe provides a very secure living environment that compares extremely well with both regional and national benchmarks. The data suggests that crime is well-managed across these rural communities. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics and time-based patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Folkestone and Hythe

In Rural Folkestone and Hythe, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 33.8% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a notable concern, making up 17.0% of reports, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.4%. These figures indicate that community-related issues and personal safety are the primary focus for local policing in these rural areas.

Property crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 18.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Other thefts account for 8.1% of total crime, while burglary and vehicle crime make up 4.1% and 4.6% respectively. For residents, this suggests that Rural Folkestone and Hythe is a very safe area with a low risk of property-related offences. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage highlights the importance of maintaining good home security to prevent opportunistic vandalism.

Crime Trends in Rural Folkestone and Hythe

Rural Folkestone and Hythe has seen a stable crime trend over the past year, with a very slight 0.8% decrease in total offences. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated from a low of 3.2 in February 2025 to a peak of 7.1 in April 2025.

The first half of 2025 saw some volatility, with the rate rising significantly in April (7.1) and May (6.3). However, the rate showed a generally downward trajectory in the summer, falling to 4.1 in July. While there was a slight increase to 6.6 in August and 5.6 in October, the overall trend remains consistent with previous years, confirming that Rural Folkestone and Hythe remains a very safe environment for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Folkestone and Hythe

The most common crime in Rural Folkestone and Hythe is violence and sexual offences. To enhance personal safety, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings and take simple precautions, especially in more secluded rural areas.

When out in the area, particularly after dark, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit paths or fields. If you are socialising late, it is always safer to travel with friends or use a reputable taxi service.

Given the rate of anti-social behaviour (17.0%) and criminal damage (9.4%), residents should ensure their homes and gardens are well-secured. Simple steps like installing motion-activated security lights and keeping gates locked can be very effective deterrents. For vehicle owners, although the rate of vehicle crime is low, you should still ensure you never leave valuables on display and always double-lock your car. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group can also help you stay informed about local issues and work with your neighbours to maintain the area's high safety standards. Promptly reporting any suspicious behaviour to the police is also key to keeping Rural Folkestone and Hythe safe.

Crime Patterns in Rural Folkestone and Hythe

Crime in Rural Folkestone and Hythe shows clear variations throughout the day. In the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the most prominent issue at 46%, while burglary accounts for 11%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft remains high at 50%, and burglary increases to its peak of 19%. This suggests that daytime activity is primarily focused on property-related offences in residential areas.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, spike to 50% of total incidents. Theft drops significantly to 20%. Night-time (12am - 6am) brings a shift in risk, with vehicle crime reaching its daily peak at 35% and burglary remaining high at 21%. This data indicates that while theft is a daytime concern, residents should be most vigilant about home and vehicle security during the late night and early morning hours.

Local Context: Nearby Areas

In the local context, Rural Folkestone and Hythe offers a peaceful and secure alternative to the more urbanised parts of the district. While specific comparison data for similar settlements is not provided, its overall crime rate of 57.3 is notably low and reflects the generally safe nature of the rural South East. It provides a secure residential environment for those who want to be close to the amenities of Folkestone and Hythe while enjoying a much lower risk of crime than is found in the more densely populated areas.

Protecting Your Property in Rural Folkestone and Hythe

With a property crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 people, Rural Folkestone and Hythe is a very safe area, but maintaining this high level of security still requires proactive measures. Traditional security systems like basic alarms and recording-only CCTV often fail to prevent crimes, instead only providing footage of the event after it has occurred.

scOS provides a more effective, proactive alternative. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can detect and flag potential threats before they ever reach your home. For the 26 households that experience burglary annually, and the others affected by vehicle crime and theft, scOS offers the ability to stop these incidents entirely. Features like multi-camera intelligence and vehicle verification ensure that suspicious activity is identified in real-time. By triggering autonomous responses like lighting or audible warnings, scOS can deter opportunistic criminals, ensuring your home remains a hard target. This proactive approach is the best way to ensure your property remains highly secure in Rural Folkestone and Hythe.