Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Lenham and Harrietsham, a built-up area within Maidstone, recorded a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, placing it 29.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s position as a relatively safer locale compared to the national picture, though it is not without its own crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 55.9% of all reported crimes, a significant share that highlights the prominence of violent crime in the area. This category’s rate (2.8 per 1,000) is 12% above the UK average, suggesting a localised concentration of such incidents. In contrast, anti-social behaviour (0.4 per 1,000) is 62% below the national rate, a discrepancy that may be attributed to the area’s smaller, more cohesive community structure, which could foster greater social accountability. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely plays a role in shaping these patterns, as does the area’s lower population density. While the overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, the breakdown of crime types reveals a combination of factors, including the influence of local demographics and the presence of specific vulnerabilities. For instance, shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) is 11% above the UK average, indicating a potential link to the area’s retail presence or other economic factors. Meanwhile, vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) is 55% below the national rate, reflecting lower levels of car ownership or parking activity in the area. These findings illustrate a community that, while not immune to crime, operates within a framework of lower risk compared to the broader UK context. The interplay of these factors—seasonal trends, local demographics, and economic characteristics—continues to shape the crime profile of Lenham and Harrietsham, offering insights into both the challenges and the resilience of this built-up area.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns within Lenham and Harrietsham. The most striking increase was in 'other crime,' which rose by 100% from zero to one incident, alongside a 100% increase in possession of weapons and public order offences. These spikes, while small in absolute terms, suggest a potential shift in the types of incidents being reported or a change in local dynamics. Conversely, other thefts fell by 80% (from five to one), and criminal damage and arson decreased by 50%, indicating a possible reduction in property-related crimes. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast with national trends: while violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000) are 12% above the UK average, anti-social behaviour (0.4 per 1,000) is 62% below the national rate. This divergence may reflect the area’s specific characteristics, such as a smaller, more tightly knit community where social cohesion could mitigate anti-social behaviour. Residents may find the 80% drop in other thefts particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a potential improvement in local security measures or a decrease in opportunities for such crimes.

The crime rate in Lenham and Harrietsham for February 2024 (5.0 per 1,000 residents) reflects a 2.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.2, consistent with seasonal patterns observed in winter months. This decline aligns with reduced outdoor activity and the pre-spring lull typical of February, which may temporarily suppress certain types of crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 199 residents. This rate is lower than the UK average, but the local context offers a more nuanced picture. With a population of 6,776, the area’s smaller size and lower population density likely contribute to the reduced frequency of incidents. The monthly exposure metric, while illustrative of the area’s relative safety, does not account for fluctuations in reporting or seasonal variations in crime patterns. The decrease in crime compared to the previous month may reflect temporary factors such as weather conditions or local events that discouraged criminal activity during the winter period. These findings suggest that while Lenham and Harrietsham remain safer than the national average, the interplay of environmental and demographic factors continues to shape local crime dynamics.