Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate

Lenham and Harrietsham form a safe and desirable residential area with an overall crime rate of 60.7 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, highlighting the area's secure nature. The villages boast a high safety score of 87/100, which is well above the national average of 79. Most encouragingly, Lenham and Harrietsham are seeing a substantial downward trend in criminal activity, with total recorded crime decreasing by 19.3% year-over-year. This strong reduction in crime further enhances the appeal of these villages for residents and businesses. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and temporal patterns from January to December 2025, offering a clear picture of the local safety landscape.

In Lenham and Harrietsham, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 32.6% of all reports (19.8 per 1,000). This is followed by shoplifting at 19.9% and anti-social behaviour at 15.8%. The relatively high shoplifting rate is a notable feature of the local crime profile. Property crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts, has an overall rate of 27.0 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, shoplifting is the most prevalent, followed by 'other theft' at 6.6% and vehicle crime at 2.2%. Burglary represents 1.5% of total crime. For residents, the data indicates that while personal safety is generally high, property security should focus on preventing shoplifting and opportunistic theft, which are more common in the local commercial areas.

Lenham and Harrietsham are experiencing a significant downward trend in crime, with a 19.3% reduction year-over-year. This is a very positive indicator for the area's safety. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 4.1 per 1,000 in January, rising to a yearly peak of 8.0 in May. Following this peak, the crime rate generally declined, with some fluctuations, reaching its lowest point in August at 3.7. The year ended with a rate of 5.3 in December. Despite the mid-year spike, the overall trend is clearly decreasing, suggesting that safety in Lenham and Harrietsham is steadily improving.

How To Keep Safe in Lenham and Harrietsham

The most common crime in Lenham and Harrietsham is violence and sexual offences. While the overall risk is lower than in many urban areas, it is always wise to practice general situational awareness. When walking through the villages at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through less populated paths or park areas. If you are out late, consider letting someone know when you expect to be home or using a personal safety app.

Given the high rate of shoplifting and other theft in the area, residents should be particularly careful with their personal belongings in local shops and commercial centres. Keep bags zipped and close to your body, and be wary of distractions. For property owners, the rate of anti-social behaviour suggests that clear property boundaries and motion-activated lighting are effective deterrents. For vehicle safety, always ensure your car is locked and never leave valuables, bags, or electronics in plain sight. Opportunistic thieves often target vehicles that appear to have easy-to-grab items. Finally, staying active in local community groups or social media safety forums can help you stay informed about any recent spikes in activity or suspicious behaviour in the villages, ensuring that Lenham and Harrietsham remains a safe place to live.

Crime in Lenham and Harrietsham follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted toward theft-related offences, accounting for 40% and 46% of crimes respectively. This coincides with the villages' peak daytime activity and the operation of local shops. As the day moves into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts toward 'other' offences, which include anti-social behaviour and public order issues, making up a significant 72% of evening reports. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for 22% of all incidents during these hours. Burglary risk is also most prominent at night (8%) and in the afternoon (7%). These trends suggest that while daytime is busier for theft, the night-time hours present a higher specific risk for vehicle owners and residential property security.

In the local context, Lenham and Harrietsham are safer than many of the surrounding urban and suburban areas. Their crime rate of 60.7 per 1,000 is lower than Maidstone (108.5), Coxheath (68.3), and Staplehurst (76.7). They are also safer than nearby Kingswood (66.8) and Ulcombe (67.4). While some smaller hamlets like Egerton and Chartway Street report even lower rates, Lenham and Harrietsham offer a high level of security compared to the busier parts of the Maidstone local authority. This makes them a premier choice for those seeking a village lifestyle with a strong safety profile.

In Lenham and Harrietsham, the property crime rate of 27.0 per 1,000 and the high percentage of shoplifting (19.9% of total crime) suggest that security is an important consideration for both homeowners and businesses. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens. For residents who want to proactively defend their properties, scOS offers an AI-powered operating system that transforms security. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify potential intruders before they reach your house or shop. The system’s autonomous responses—such as activating lighting and audio warnings—are designed to deter intruders instantly, often preventing any damage or entry. This proactive approach is far more effective than simply recording a crime, as it stops the incident entirely. For Lenham and Harrietsham property owners, scOS provides the technology to ensure your premises remain safe, preventing crime before it happens and offering genuine peace of mind. Choosing a proactive system is the most effective way to manage security in an area where theft-related offences are a key factor.