Lower Higham Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Lower Higham

Lower Higham, a smaller urban settlement with a population of 1,451, reports an overall crime rate of 64.8 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score is 84 out of 100, notably higher than the UK average safety score of 78, reflecting a safe environment. Lower Higham has also shown a positive trend with a 6.9% decrease in its crime rate year-over-year, indicating an improving safety landscape for its residents. This introduction provides a positive overview of Lower Higham's crime statistics, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis.

Crime Breakdown in Lower Higham

In Lower Higham, the most significant crime types are Violence and sexual offences, Burglary, and Vehicle crime. Violence and sexual offences account for a substantial 35.1% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents. Burglary follows, making up 12.8% of incidents at a rate of 8.3 per 1,000. Vehicle crime represents 11.7% of crimes, occurring at 7.6 per 1,000.

The overall property crime rate in Lower Higham, encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage and arson, stands at 27.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Key contributors to this category include burglary (8.3 per 1,000), vehicle crime (7.6 per 1,000), and other theft (4.8 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures highlight the importance of securing their properties and vehicles against potential threats, particularly given the prevalence of burglary and vehicle crime.

Crime Trends in Lower Higham

Lower Higham has experienced a positive trend in its crime statistics, with an overall decrease of 6.9% year-over-year. This indicates a notable improvement in the area's safety profile over the past 12 months compared to the preceding period. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals fluctuations, with rates ranging from a low of 1.4 in September 2025 to a high of 10.3 in April 2025. Despite these monthly variations, the overarching trend points towards a sustained effort in crime reduction. This decreasing trend is encouraging for Lower Higham's community, suggesting a safer environment for its residents.

Crime Time Patterns in Lower Higham

Crime patterns in Lower Higham show distinct variations throughout the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), burglary (28%), theft (26%), and vehicle crime (25%) are all notable. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees burglary peak significantly at 46%, with theft at 26%. During the evening (6pm-12am), burglary remains high at 39%, with "Other" crimes at 30%, and vehicle crime at 22%. Night-time hours (12am-6am) are characterised by a substantial increase in vehicle crime to 43% and continued high burglary rates at 36%, with "Other" crimes also present at 17%. This indicates that property-related crimes, particularly burglary and vehicle crime, are a concern across much of the day and night in Lower Higham.

Comparing Lower Higham with Nearby Areas

To contextualise Lower Higham's crime statistics, it's beneficial to compare them with neighbouring settlements. Higham (Gravesham) and Cliffe Woods, both relatively close communities, offer relevant comparisons for local crime patterns. Shorne and Cliffe (Medway), another nearby village and a town in a neighbouring local authority, provide broader benchmarks for regional crime rates, representing a mix of communities within the wider region. These comparisons allow residents to understand how Lower Higham's overall crime rate of 64.8 per 1,000 and safety score of 84/100 align with or differ from its local surroundings, highlighting its secure environment.

Protecting Your Property in Lower Higham

With Lower Higham's property crime rate of 27.6 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average, proactive home security measures are a sensible consideration for homeowners and residents. It's crucial to shift focus from merely recording a crime after it has happened to actively preventing it. Traditional security cameras, such as Ring or Nest, primarily offer footage of an incident; however, advanced systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it occurs.

scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than after an intrusion. This multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning capabilities allow it to distinguish between genuine threats and everyday routines, avoiding unnecessary alerts. The system's autonomous response, involving activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, making them move on. For those serious about protecting their property in Lower Higham, investing in professional-grade, proactive security solutions offers a significant deterrent, making your home a less appealing target.