Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 62.6 per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. However, the area has experienced an increase in crime, rising by 11.8% year-on-year. Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. While the overall crime rate is lower than the national average, the upward trend and specific crime types warrant attention and proactive measures to ensure community wellbeing.

The crime landscape in Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley is characterised by a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.1% of reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 24.9%, and criminal damage and arson contribute a further 10.3%. Overall property crime in the area stands at 22.5 per 1,000 residents annually. While this is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, the nature of the crimes occurring demands attention. Shoplifting represents 8.5% of reported incidents, while vehicle crime accounts for 6.7%, and other theft makes up 6.0%. Burglary, a significant concern for many homeowners, is comparatively lower at 3.7 per 1,000 residents, but still warrants consideration. The breakdown highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of these crimes and enhance community safety.

Crime in Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley has been steadily increasing. From January 2025 to December 2025, the monthly crime rate fluctuated, starting at 4.6 per 1,000 in January and peaking at 8.2 per 1,000 in July. While there were dips in February, March, September, November, and December, the overall trend remains upward. For example, the rate in July was considerably higher than in January, indicating a potential seasonal or situational influence on criminal activity. This 11.8% year-on-year increase highlights the need for proactive community safety initiatives and a thorough assessment of the factors contributing to this rise.

How To Keep Safe in Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be particularly mindful of your surroundings when out alone, especially at night. Report any suspicious behaviour to the police promptly. Due to the significant incidence of anti-social behaviour, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes. With criminal damage and arson being a concern, ensure your property is well-lit and secure. Finally, be vigilant regarding vehicle crime – always lock your car and remove valuables from view.

Looking at when crimes occur in Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley, burglary is most frequently reported during the afternoon (18%), with a notable increase during the evening (14%). Violence and sexual offences show a slight concentration during the evening hours (0%), particularly on weekend evenings. Theft is more common during commercial hours in the afternoon (41%), while vehicle crime is significantly higher overnight (42%) and during the afternoon (19%). Other crimes are most frequently reported during the evening (53%). These patterns suggest a need for increased patrols and community vigilance during these peak times.

Comparing Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley to its neighbours, Southfleet has a slightly higher crime rate at 50.2 per 1,000, while Speed Gate reports a remarkably low rate of 0.0 per 1,000. Istead Rise and Meopham also exhibit lower rates, at 42.1 and 42.0 per 1,000 respectively. These variations highlight the localised nature of crime and the importance of understanding specific area characteristics to address crime effectively.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a crime has occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing; proactively preventing crime is another. Consider a system like scOS, which uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary. scOS’s multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, instantly verifying vehicle plates with the DVLA and learning your family’s routines to eliminate false alarms. The visible deterrence of professional-grade security, like scOS, can often make burglars reconsider their actions – the right security system makes that 60-second decision easy - they move on.