Margate Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Margate

Margate, a prominent built-up area within Thanet, with a population of 64,701, records an overall crime rate of 126.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 69 out of 100, which is below the UK average of 78/100, suggesting a more moderate safety perception compared to the national benchmark. Margate has experienced a stable trend over the past year, with a minor increase of 1.0% in its year-over-year crime rate. This introduction provides a framework for understanding the specific crime patterns and safety considerations within Margate.

Crime Type Analysis in Margate

An examination of crime types in Margate highlights Violence and sexual offences as the most frequent category, accounting for 42.5% of all crimes with 3,484 incidents (53.9 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, representing 17.4% of crimes with 1,429 incidents (22.1 per 1,000). Criminal damage and arson ranks third, with 677 reported incidents, making up 8.3% of the total and a rate of 10.5 per 1,000 people.

Margate's property crime rate is 34.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is slightly above the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes offences such as burglary (2.7 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.9 per 1,000), other theft (7.8 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson (10.5 per 1,000). The presence of these property-related crimes means residents and homeowners should prioritise securing their properties and vehicles to mitigate potential risks.

Crime Trends in Margate

Margate has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight increase of 1.0% in its year-over-year crime rate. Analysing monthly data reveals fluctuations throughout this period. The crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 11.2 in October 2024, saw a dip to 9.1 in December 2024, and then gradually increased, reaching a peak of 13.3 in July 2025. By September 2025, the rate had decreased to 8.7 per 1,000. This pattern indicates that while the overall trend is stable, there are seasonal or periodic variations in crime activity. For residents, this suggests a need to remain vigilant, particularly during periods of higher crime incidence.

Time-Based Crime Patterns in Margate

Crime in Margate exhibits distinct patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 46% of crimes, alongside vehicle crime at 12%. This period often coincides with commuting and the opening of commercial establishments. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a continued high incidence of theft at 50% and an increase in burglary to 12%, likely influenced by peak shopping hours and properties being unattended during the workday.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the crime landscape shifts significantly, with 'other' crimes dominating at 58% and theft dropping to 20%. This suggests an increase in public order offences or anti-social behaviour associated with social activities. Overnight (12am-6am), the focus moves to property-related crimes, with vehicle crime peaking at 32% and burglary at 14%, as properties are most vulnerable. Understanding these hourly and daily rhythms can help residents tailor their security measures and awareness.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Comparing Margate to its adjacent built-up areas provides valuable local context for its crime statistics. Margate, with an overall crime rate of 126.7 per 1,000, is generally higher than areas like Broadstairs (79.2 per 1,000) and Minster (Thanet) (55.5 per 1,000), which both exhibit lower crime rates and higher safety scores. However, Margate is safer than Ramsgate (140.4 per 1,000). Cliffs End (72.4 per 1,000) also presents a lower crime rate. This comparison highlights that while Margate is a vibrant urban centre, its crime rate is notably higher than some of its immediate neighbours, offering a clear regional differentiation for residents to consider.

Enhancing Property Protection in Margate

With Margate's property crime rate of 34.7 per 1,000, which is slightly above the UK average, residents should consider advanced security solutions to protect their homes and belongings. Traditional CCTV systems typically only record a burglary, providing footage after the event has occurred. However, a truly effective security strategy focuses on preventing crime proactively.

AI-powered home security operating systems, such as scOS, are designed to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping intruders before they gain entry. Unlike conventional systems, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor all cameras simultaneously, ensuring no blind spots. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles with fake plates, while its pattern learning capabilities recognise your family's routines, alerting only to genuine threats. This autonomous response, which includes activating lights and speakers, is engineered to destroy the element of surprise and deter most burglars within their critical 60-second decision window. For those seeking superior protection, professional-grade systems offer a significant upgrade from reactive recording to real-time prevention.