Margate Crime Rate

Margate's crime statistics reflect its status as a busy coastal town with a high volume of seasonal tourism. The area has an overall crime rate of 125.0 per 1,000 people, which is above the UK average of 91.7. This is accompanied by a safety score of 70/100, below the national benchmark of 79. The crime trend in Margate is currently stable, showing a minor 2.0% decrease year-over-year. While these figures indicate a higher frequency of reported incidents than in more rural areas, they are consistent with many coastal resorts of similar size and demographic. The following analysis provides a deeper look into the specific types of crime prevalent in Margate and how the town compares to its neighbours.

Crime Breakdown in Margate

In Margate, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types, accounting for 3,420 reported incidents or 42.3% of the total crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.3% and criminal damage and arson at 8.1%. These figures highlight that personal safety and social conduct are the primary areas of concern for the local community in this famous seaside town.

Property crime in Margate occurs at a rate of 34.1 per 1,000 people, which is slightly higher than the UK average. This category is comprised of shoplifting (6.3%), other theft (6.1%), vehicle crime (2.9%), and burglary (2.1%). While burglary rates are relatively low at 2.7 per 1,000, the high level of shoplifting and criminal damage suggests that opportunistic offences are a persistent issue, particularly in the town's commercial and tourist areas. For homeowners, the combined impact of criminal damage and theft-related offences means that maintaining robust security is important to protect properties and assets in both urban and suburban settings. Protection of retail businesses is also a key priority for the local economy.

Crime Trends in Margate

The crime trend in Margate is remarkably stable, with a year-over-year change of just -2.0%. This indicates that the volume of reported incidents has remained consistent over the past two years. However, looking at the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025, there are clear seasonal variations typical of a tourist destination.

The rate was at its lowest in December 2024 (9.1 per 1,000) and September 2025 (8.7). Conversely, activity peaked during the spring and summer months, reaching a high of 13.3 per 1,000 in July. This pattern suggests that crime in Margate increases during periods of better weather and higher tourist activity. For residents, this means that while the overall trend is stable, extra care should be taken during the summer months when opportunistic crimes and anti-social behaviour are statistically more likely to occur. Understanding these monthly shifts can help residents better prepare and secure their properties throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Margate

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Margate, followed by anti-social behaviour. To stay safe, particularly in the town centre and along the seafront after dark, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings and avoid poorly lit or isolated areas.

Stick to well-populated routes and try to travel with others late at night. If you are visiting the coast, use reputable taxi services and be mindful of your personal belongings in crowded public spaces to prevent opportunistic theft. To combat anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, ensure your property's exterior is well-lit and consider joining a local neighbourhood watch group to stay informed about issues in your specific area. Business owners should be particularly vigilant against shoplifting, which is a notable concern in the town's retail hubs. By staying vigilant and taking these practical precautions, you can help ensure your personal safety while enjoying everything Margate has to offer.

Crime Patterns in Margate

Crime in Margate follows a distinct temporal pattern, with different types of offences peaking at specific times. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is a primary concern, accounting for 47% and 51% of crimes in those periods respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft and shoplifting are most likely to occur during standard business hours when the town centre and seafront are at their busiest.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am) and night (12am-6am), 'Other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and social nuisance—become dominant, representing 58% and 44% of activity. Burglary risk is consistent throughout the day but peaks slightly during the night-time hours, accounting for 14% of crimes between midnight and 6am. Notably, vehicle crime also peaks significantly during the night, rising to a staggering 31% of all reported incidents between midnight and 6am. These patterns highlight that while the daytime is more associated with opportunistic theft in commercial areas, the night-time hours carry an exceptionally high risk for vehicle owners and property security. Residents should be aware that the hours of darkness are when their vehicles and homes are most vulnerable.

When comparing Margate to the wider Thanet region, it stands out as one of the more active hubs. Its crime rate of 125.0 per 1,000 is higher than nearby Broadstairs (77.4) and the village of Minster (55.8), but it remains safer than the larger neighbouring town of Ramsgate, which has a higher rate of 138.7. Other nearby areas like Cliffs End also report lower crime volumes. This contrast highlights Margate's role as a major destination for the region, attracting more people for leisure and tourism, which naturally leads to higher reported crime figures than the surrounding residential and rural areas. For those looking at the region, Margate offers a vibrant coastal environment with a safety profile that is typical for a major seaside resort.

With a property crime rate of 34.1 per 1,000 people, Margate residents should prioritise effective home security to protect against burglary and criminal damage. Most traditional security systems are reactive, meaning they only alert you or record footage once a crime has already begun. In a town where anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are relatively common, this reactive approach is often insufficient to prevent damage or loss.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect potential threats at the perimeter of your property. Rather than just recording a burglary, scOS is designed to prevent it. The system's multi-camera intelligence watches for suspicious patterns and can autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and alerts to scare off intruders before they can cause damage. For Margate homeowners, this means moving from simply having evidence of a crime to stopping it from happening in the first place. Investing in professional-grade, proactive protection like scOS is a powerful way to ensure your home stays safe in a high-activity coastal environment, especially given the high risk of vehicle crime at night (31%).