Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Lenham and Harrietsham's crime rate in July 2023 stood at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, 43.4% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This figure places the area among the safest in the country, a pattern consistent with its semi-rural built-up character within Maidstone. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.3% of total crimes, followed by shoplifting (18.8%) and public order incidents (15.6%). The area's low crime rate is likely shaped by its limited high-density urban environments, which reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Seasonal factors may also play a role, as summer festivals and school holidays often correlate with fluctuations in public order incidents. While shoplifting rates were 50% above the UK average, this category represented a small share of overall crimes. The data highlights a broader trend of stability in crime levels, despite seasonal spikes in specific categories. This suggests that local policing and community initiatives may be effectively managing risks, even as summer activities temporarily elevate certain types of offences. The area's crime profile reflects a balance between its rural character and the presence of built-up areas, which may contribute to its relatively low exposure to crime compared to more densely populated regions.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 400% month-on-month increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This surge, while significant, remains below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour and other crime both doubled from previous month totals, suggesting a potential link to summer activities or events. Shoplifting incidents in the area were 50% above the UK average, with 6 cases recorded (0.9 per 1,000). This contrasts with a 50% decrease in burglary, which fell from 2 to 1, possibly due to improved security measures or seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the largest category (31.3% of total crimes), saw a 9.1% decrease from June. These shifts illustrate the combination of local events and crime patterns, with public order offences potentially influenced by increased community engagement during summer festivals. The doubling of anti-social behaviour cases from 2 to 4 may reflect heightened social interactions in public spaces, a trend consistent with the area's semi-rural character and summer activities. The 100% increase in 'other crime' cases—rising from 0 to 2—suggests a need for further analysis of emerging categories, though the small sample size limits definitive conclusions.

The crime rate in Lenham and Harrietsham rose by 6.5% in July 2023 compared to June, from 4.4 to 4.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, aligns with the seasonal dynamics typical of built-up areas within Maidstone, where summer festivals and school holidays often drive fluctuations in public order incidents. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day in July, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 212 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the area's overall safety profile. When considered against the population of 6,776, this suggests that most residents experience minimal direct interaction with crime. The stability in crime levels—despite the rise in public order offences—suggests that local policing and community initiatives may be effectively mitigating broader risks. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area's low crime rate, 43.4% below the UK average, is consistent with its character as a semi-rural built-up area, where limited high-density urban environments contribute to lower crime exposure. This context frames the monthly data as part of a broader pattern of safety, even as specific categories like public order offences show seasonal spikes.