Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate

Lenham and Harrietsham is a safe and secure area, as evidenced by its safety score of 86/100, which comfortably exceeds the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate is 63.8 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a positive trend in its safety environment, with a 10.0% decrease in total crime year-over-year. While the area does face specific challenges—most notably a higher-than-average rate of shoplifting—the overall trajectory is one of improving security. The data for the period of December 2024 to November 2025 highlights a community that is notably safer than many other urban settlements in the region.

Crime Breakdown in Lenham and Harrietsham

Lenham and Harrietsham presents a crime profile where violence and sexual offences are the most frequent reports, accounting for 32.2% of the total. Uniquely for the region, shoplifting is the second most common crime at 19.7% (12.5 per 1,000 residents), followed closely by anti-social behaviour (14.8%) and criminal damage and arson (14.1%). The high rate of shoplifting suggests a specific challenge for local businesses and retail areas.

Property crime in Lenham and Harrietsham, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, stands at 29.1 per 1,000 people. This is relatively close to the UK average of 32.3, indicating that property-related offences are a significant component of the local crime landscape. While burglary rates are low (1.6% of total crime), the combination of shoplifting and 'other theft' means that nearly 30% of all crimes in the area are theft-related. This highlights a clear need for robust security for both residential properties and local commercial premises.

Crime Trends in Lenham and Harrietsham

The crime trend in Lenham and Harrietsham is currently heading in a positive direction, with a 10.0% decrease in total reported crimes year-over-year. This downward trend is a welcome sign for the community, indicating that the area is becoming safer over time.

Analysis of the monthly data for the 2024-2025 period shows that the year began with a high of 8.4 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024. However, this was followed by a significant drop in January (4.1) and February (4.9). While there were occasional spikes, such as in May 2025 (8.0), the latter half of the year has remained relatively stable, with the rate ending at 5.2 per 1,000 in November 2025. This overall reduction, particularly from the peak seen at the end of 2024, suggests that the area's safety profile is strengthening, though continued vigilance regarding theft and shoplifting remains necessary.

How To Keep Safe in Lenham and Harrietsham

Violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type in Lenham and Harrietsham, followed by a significant amount of shoplifting. While the area is generally safe, being proactive about personal and property security is recommended.

To stay safe in Lenham and Harrietsham, consider these steps:

1. When shopping or visiting local businesses, stay aware of your belongings, as the high shoplifting rate indicates that opportunistic theft is more common here than in neighbouring areas.
2. Secure your property in the afternoon and late at night, as these are the periods when burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur.
3. If you own or manage a local business, consider implementing high-visibility security measures to deter the relatively high levels of shoplifting.
4. Stick to well-lit paths when walking between Lenham and Harrietsham in the evening, as 'other' crime types like anti-social behaviour are most prevalent during these hours.
5. Ensure your vehicles are locked and parked in well-lit areas, particularly overnight, when vehicle crime accounts for 20% of all reported incidents.

Crime in Lenham and Harrietsham follows clear daily cycles. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences (including shoplifting) are the dominant concern, making up 39% and 45% of crimes respectively. This aligns with the area's peak commercial and retail hours. As evening approaches, the nature of reported incidents shifts dramatically towards 'other' categories, such as anti-social behaviour and public order, which account for a substantial 73% of crimes between 6pm and midnight. At night (12am-6am), while overall crime volume is lower, vehicle crime (20%) and burglary (8%) reach their highest relative percentages. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely business-related, property and vehicle security are the primary concerns during the late-night hours.

Lenham and Harrietsham sits in a relatively safe pocket of Kent. Its crime rate of 63.8 per 1,000 is almost identical to Ulcombe (63.5) and slightly lower than Kingswood (66.0). When compared to the major urban centre of Maidstone, it is significantly safer. However, it does not reach the zero-crime levels of very small rural neighbours like Egerton or Chartway Street. For residents and prospective movers, Lenham and Harrietsham offers a safe, low-crime environment that is typical of the more rural parts of the local authority, while still maintaining some urban-style crime patterns such as retail-related theft.

With a property crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000, Lenham and Harrietsham sits just below the national average, meaning property security should be a priority for all residents. The area's high shoplifting and theft rates suggest that opportunistic criminals are active in the community. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV or video doorbells, are often reactive—they record a theft or a break-in but do nothing to prevent it. In an area where theft is the most common property offence, proactive protection is far more effective. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries and can detect suspicious behaviour in real-time. Whether it's an intruder in your garden or someone loitering near your vehicles, scOS can engage autonomous responses like lighting and audio warnings to deter them immediately. This proactive approach is especially valuable at night, when vehicle crime and burglary relative intensity increases. For homeowners in Lenham and Harrietsham, scOS provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing your security system is actively working to prevent crime, rather than just providing footage of it later.