Maidstone Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Maidstone’s November 2024 crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 places it 5.3% below the UK average, a position that reflects both effective policing and the area’s demographic characteristics. The most common crime category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 36.6% of all incidents at a rate of 2.6 per 1,000—exactly matching the UK average despite a 1% increase in the category’s share of total crimes. This suggests that while local rates align with national trends, the proportion of violent crime is higher than expected, potentially influenced by the district’s mix of urban and rural areas. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed, contributing 11.7% and 11.1% respectively. These figures may partly reflect seasonal factors: anti-social behaviour’s 28% deficit compared to the UK average could be linked to community initiatives during the winter months, while shoplifting’s 16% surplus may relate to increased foot traffic during Black Friday sales. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night, shorter evenings, and the post-Christmas shopping rush—likely shapes crime patterns, with opportunities for theft and public order offences rising as darkness extends. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of burglary (3.3% of crimes) and vehicle crime (5.9%) suggest that residential and transport security measures are effective, though the 35% deficit for burglary compared to the UK average may also reflect Maidstone’s lower density of high-value properties. This data illustrates a crime profile that balances local-specific risks with broader national trends, offering insights into how geography and timing intersect to influence criminal activity.

Violence and sexual offences saw a notable shift, remaining at the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 but contributing 36.6% of all crimes—higher than the UK proportion. This category’s alignment with the UK rate contrasts with other areas, such as anti-social behaviour, which was 28% below the UK average at 0.8 per 1,000. Month-on-month changes revealed sharp increases in possession of weapons (+100%), drugs (+53.1%), and shoplifting (+39.3%). These spikes may partly reflect the timing of Bonfire Night, which can heighten tensions, or the ongoing impact of Black Friday shopping sprees. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped 28.6% to 10 incidents, likely due to reduced outdoor activity as temperatures fell. Theft from the person also fell by 25%, possibly linked to fewer pedestrians in public spaces during darker evenings. The shift in crime mix, with property crimes (16.4%) slightly outpacing violent crimes (36.6%), suggests a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics.

Maidstone's November 2024 crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 marks a 2.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.3 per 1,000. This slight decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as shorter evenings and the conclusion of Black Friday shopping may have reduced opportunities for retail-related crimes. Daily crime figures show 45 crimes reported each day in November, a consistent rhythm that residents can anticipate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 140 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime level compared to the UK average. With a population of 187,767, the local context suggests that crime remains concentrated in specific areas rather than being evenly distributed. This population-scaled perspective highlights that while crime is present, it is not pervasive across the district. The rate’s continued proximity to the UK average, despite the month-on-month decline, underscores Maidstone’s position as a moderately safe area within the broader national context.