Lenham and Harrietsham Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Lenham and Harrietsham’s crime rate for January 2025 stood at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 42.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This significant disparity underscores the area’s generally lower crime profile, which may be influenced by its rural-suburban character and limited exposure to high-density urban environments. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (35.7% of total incidents), followed by shoplifting (21.4%) and anti-social behaviour (10.7%). While violence rates were 40% below the UK average, shoplifting remained 45% above the national figure, a trend consistent with the area’s retail presence and the seasonal context of January, which typically sees reduced foot traffic in commercial zones. The overall crime rate also reflects a broader shift in crime patterns, with property crimes (12 incidents) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (10 incidents), though both categories showed marked reductions compared to previous months. The low crime rate is further contextualised by the area’s population size, with only 28 crimes reported across 6,776 residents—a figure that highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies and community engagement efforts. However, the persistence of shoplifting above the UK average suggests targeted interventions may be necessary to address specific vulnerabilities in retail security. This data aligns with the seasonal context of January, a period often marked by reduced outdoor activity and lower retail demand, which may contribute to the observed declines in certain crime types. The overall picture indicates a safer environment compared to the UK average, though ongoing monitoring of shoplifting trends and other emerging issues is essential to maintain this trajectory.

January 2025 marked a sharp decline in several crime categories compared to December, with other theft falling by 75% (from 8 to 2 incidents) and public order offences decreasing by 66.7% (from 3 to 1). These drops may reflect reduced foot traffic during the post-holiday period, consistent with the area’s seasonal rhythms. However, shoplifting remained a notable concern, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents—45% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy could be attributed to the presence of retail outlets in the area, which may attract opportunistic offenders despite the overall downward trend. Meanwhile, a 100% increase in 'other crime' (from 0 to 1 incident) suggests emerging or sporadic issues warranting further local scrutiny. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted, with violence and sexual offences (35.7% of total crimes) remaining the most prevalent category, though 40% below the UK average for this category. These variations highlight the need for targeted interventions in specific sectors while acknowledging the broader safety improvements.

In January 2025, Lenham and Harrietsham recorded a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 50.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.4 per 1,000. This steep decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of January, a post-holiday period characterised by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may partly explain the drop in outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 242 residents. This figure, when contextualised against the local population of 6,776, suggests a relatively low risk environment compared to the UK average. However, the contrast with the previous month’s rate highlights a significant shift, potentially influenced by temporary factors such as seasonal transitions or changes in community activity levels. For residents, the current rate implies a safer environment than in December, though vigilance remains necessary for specific categories like shoplifting, which remains above the UK average.