Boughton under Blean Crime Rate

Boughton under Blean is a highly secure village, with a safety score of 87/100, placing it well above the UK average of 79. Its overall crime rate is 52.0 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. Furthermore, the area has seen a notable 19.9% decrease in recorded crime over the last 12 months, indicating a positive safety trend. These statistics highlight the village as one of the safer residential choices in the Swale local authority. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice to help residents and homeowners understand the local security environment.

Crime Breakdown in Boughton under Blean

Boughton under Blean's crime statistics are primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which account for 71 recorded incidents, or 42.0% of all crime. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common category at 13.0%, followed by anti-social behaviour and other theft, both at 9.5%.

Property-related crime in Boughton under Blean—encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 17.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Notably, burglary is very rare, representing just 1.2% of total crime. However, vehicle crime is more prominent at 8.9% of all reported offences. For residents, this suggests that while the risk of home invasion is statistically very low, the protection of vehicles and the prevention of criminal damage are more immediate concerns. The overall profile indicates a safe residential environment with specific, manageable risks to property.

Crime Trends in Boughton under Blean

Analysis of the latest 12-month data for Boughton under Blean shows a strong downward trend, with total crime decreasing by 19.9%. The crime rate per 1,000 people started at 3.4 in December 2024 and saw an immediate rise to 7.7 in January 2025.

However, after this early peak, the crime rate generally declined and remained stable throughout the rest of the year. Most months recorded rates between 3.1 and 4.9 per 1,000, finishing the period at 4.6 in November 2025. This suggests that the initial spike in January was an anomaly and that the overall trend is one of improved safety. For residents, this significant annual reduction is very encouraging, reflecting a village that is becoming increasingly secure. The consistency of these low figures reinforces Boughton under Blean's reputation as a safe and stable community.

How To Keep Safe in Boughton under Blean

The most common crime in Boughton under Blean is violence and sexual offences (42.0%), followed by criminal damage and arson (13.0%). While overall crime is low, specific focus on property and personal safety is always beneficial.

To stay safe in Boughton under Blean, consider the following:

• Vehicle crime is a specific risk, especially at night when it accounts for 47% of incidents. Always ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left on display. If possible, park in a garage or a well-lit driveway.
• To deter criminal damage, ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined with secure fencing and consider motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your home.
• Keep garden tools, bicycles, and outdoor equipment securely locked away in a shed or garage, as 'other theft' is a top crime category.
• When walking through the village at night, stick to well-lit main roads and be aware of your surroundings.
• Engaging with local community groups can help you stay informed about any rare but specific safety concerns in the village.

Crime in Boughton under Blean shows a clear temporal pattern. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the most active periods for theft, accounting for over 46% and 56% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely during the hours of highest daytime activity.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm - 12am), there is a significant shift. Theft drops to 20%, while 'other' crimes—predominantly criminal damage and anti-social behaviour—surge to 56%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle owners; vehicle crime jumps to 47% of all recorded incidents during these hours, its highest proportional peak of the day. Burglary remains exceptionally low and stable throughout the 24-hour cycle, peaking only slightly at 5% during the afternoon and night, reinforcing the village's status as a very secure residential environment.

In comparison to its immediate neighbours, Boughton under Blean is a very secure settlement. Its crime rate of 52.0 per 1,000 is slightly lower than that of nearby Old Wives Lees (56.5). While very small hamlets like Dunkirk, Oversland, and Waterham recorded no crimes, Boughton under Blean remains an exceptionally safe option for a village with its level of population and local amenities. It sits as a peaceful residential alternative to the busier urban centres in the region, offering a high standard of safety that is consistent with its rural Kentish character.

While Boughton under Blean enjoys a low property crime rate of 17.6 per 1,000, the prevalence of criminal damage (13.0%) and vehicle crime (8.9%) indicates that the property perimeter is the most vulnerable area. Traditional security cameras like Ring or Nest are reactive; they only record footage after an incident has occurred. For a village like Boughton under Blean, scOS offers a more effective, proactive solution. By using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS detects potential threats at the boundary of your property, not after a vehicle has been tampered with or a window broken. The system can distinguish between residents and strangers, and its autonomous response—such as activating security lights or audible warnings—is designed to stop a crime before it happens. For vehicle owners, scOS’s ability to monitor driveways and verify vehicle plates provides a professional-grade layer of protection that standard DIY systems simply cannot match. prioritising prevention over simple recording is the key to maintaining your home's security.