Lower Halstow Crime Rate

Lower Halstow maintains a high safety score of 86/100, positioning it well above the UK average of 79. The area's overall crime rate is 73.3 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 91.7. However, the area has seen a significant 114.3% increase in recorded crime over the last 12 months, largely driven by a rise in anti-social behaviour. Despite this upward trend, Lower Halstow remains a statistically safer choice compared to many other settlements 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 Lower Halstow

Lower Halstow's crime profile is primarily defined by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 30 recorded incidents, or 33.3% of all crime. Violence and sexual offences is the second most common category at 24.4%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 11.1%.

Property-related crime in Lower Halstow—encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 18.7 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Burglary specifically is very rare, representing just 1.1% of total crime. Vehicle crime accounts for 4.4% of all reported offences. For residents, these figures suggest that the overall risk of property intrusion is statistically very low. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage indicates that protecting property boundaries and community spaces should be a priority. The overall profile indicates a safe residential environment with specific focus needed on community-based anti-social behaviour.

Crime Trends in Lower Halstow

Analysis of the latest 12-month data for Lower Halstow shows a significant upward trend, with total crime increasing by 114.3%. The crime rate per 1,000 people started at a low of 1.6 in December 2024 and saw a substantial surge in the summer.

A peak of 16.3 was recorded in July 2025, primarily driven by reports of anti-social behaviour. Following this peak, the crime rate declined significantly, returning to 2.4 in October and 4.1 in November 2025. This suggests that the large annual increase was heavily influenced by a specific period of high activity during the summer months. For residents, while the overall increase is concerning, the return to much lower figures at the end of the year is an encouraging sign. Continued community vigilance and reporting will be key to maintaining these lower safety levels.

How To Keep Safe in Lower Halstow

The most common crime in Lower Halstow is anti-social behaviour (33.3%), followed by violence and sexual offences (24.4%). While overall crime is low, specific focus on community and property safety is always beneficial.

To stay safe in Lower Halstow, consider the following:

• To deter anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined with secure fencing and consider motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your home.
• Vehicle crime is a specific risk, especially at night when it accounts for 39% 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.
• 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 and reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour can help improve collective security and help the local police address specific issues.

Crime in Lower Halstow shows a clear temporal pattern. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the most active periods for theft, accounting for 50% and 59% 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 in crime types. Theft drops to 22%, while 'other' crimes—predominantly anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—surge to 58%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle owners; vehicle crime jumps to 39% 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 6% during the night. This temporal data indicates that property and vehicle security are most vulnerable during the evening and early morning hours, reinforcing the need for 24-hour protection in the village.

In comparison to its immediate neighbours, Lower Halstow is a secure settlement. Its crime rate of 73.3 per 1,000 is slightly higher than nearby Newington (69.2) but much lower than the major hub of Sittingbourne (101.0). While it is more active than Upchurch (34.2) and the zero-crime hamlets of Ham Green and Hartlip, Lower Halstow remains a safe residential option. It sits as a peaceful alternative to the busier urban centres in Swale, offering a high standard of safety that is consistent with its village character. For those seeking a secure community, Lower Halstow offers an attractive safety profile.

While Lower Halstow enjoys a low burglary rate, the fact that anti-social behaviour (33.3%) and criminal damage (11.1%) are the top offences suggests that property owners should focus on perimeter security. Traditional CCTV systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they only record footage of a crime that has already occurred. For a village like Lower Halstow, 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 an incident has occurred. The system can distinguish between residents and strangers, and its autonomous response—such as activating security lights or audible warnings—is designed to stop anti-social behaviour and criminal damage before it happens. For residents concerned about vehicle crime at night, 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.