Crime Rate in Folkestone and Hythe: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Folkestone and Hythe

The total recorded crimes in Folkestone and Hythe, UK in May 2025 are around 825 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Folkestone and Hythe crime rate of 7.52 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Folkestone and Hythe, encompassing approximately 109,759 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (347) incidents (14.90% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (112) incidents (-15.79% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (81) incidents (-17.35% decrease)
Folkestone and Hythe Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Police Station with total crimes: 11
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 10
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 10

Folkestone and Hythe Police Info:

Kent Police

How safe is Folkestone and Hythe?

To understand the safety of Folkestone and Hythe, we need to analyze Folkestone and Hythe crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Folkestone and Hythe has recorded 10,629 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 96.84 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 146 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 10,233 crimes with a crime rate of 93.23, ranking it 140 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Kent:

    • In 2024, Folkestone and Hythe demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Kent average, with 10629 crimes compared to 13931.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Folkestone and Hythe witnessed more crimes than 8 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Folkestone and Hythe had fewer crimes than the Kent average, with 10,233 crimes compared to 13,095. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Folkestone and Hythe witnessed more crimes than 9 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Folkestone and Hythe is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Kent, Folkestone and Hythe has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Folkestone and Hythe Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Folkestone Central (227 crimes), and the safest, Hythe Rural (14 crimes), is 213 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Folkestone and Hythe.

Similarly, the area of Folkestone Harbour (174 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Lyminge, Densole & Elham (25 crimes), with a difference of 149 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Folkestone and Hythe.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Folkestone Central227
North Downs East88
Cheriton77
East Folkestone77
Hythe63

Safest Wards:

Romney Marsh33
New Romney29
Sandgate & West Folkestone26
North Downs West25
Hythe Rural14

Most Dangerous Areas:

Folkestone Harbour174
Folkestone Central92
Folkestone Morehall & Sandgate74
Hawkinge72
Folkestone Foord67

Safest Areas:

Dymchurch, St Mary's Bay & Brookland36
Lympne & Palmarsh31
New Romney29
Saltwood, Seabrook & Etchinghill27
Lyminge, Densole & Elham25

Folkestone and Hythe Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Folkestone and Hythe has recorded 825 crimes with crime rate of 7.52 ranking 183th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 10 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 9 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2024, the total Folkestone and Hythe crimes were 10,629. The crime rate of Folkestone and Hythe in 2024 was 96.84 (year) or 8.07 (month) ranking it 146 danzarous in the UK. Folkestone and Hythe ranked 9 in terms of total crimes and 8 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2023, the total crimes in Folkestone and Hythe were around 10,233 crimes with yearly crime rate of 93.23 (year) or 7.77 (month) ranking 140 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Kent, Folkestone and Hythe ranked 10 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 8 as per crime rate of Folkestone and Hythe

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks686 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling826 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells700 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford951 1012,638 911,651 9
Maidstone1,600 820,408 517,055 7
Dover1,098 712,554 712,219 6
Canterbury1,569 117,254 616,993 5
Swale1,560 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,141 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham911 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,583 219,161 118,027 1

Folkestone and Hythe Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (347 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (112 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (302 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (133 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (335 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (87 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 316 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 74 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (331 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (88 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 334 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 85 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (305 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (114 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (349 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (104 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (286 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (111 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (372 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (169 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 366 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 156 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 78 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 7.09 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202512
March 20255
February 20258
January 20258
December 20243
November 20247
October 20243
September 202410
August 20248
July 20244

A total of 42 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.82 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20255
March 20253
February 20253
January 20254
December 20245
November 20246
October 20243
September 20245
August 20245
July 20241

A total of 252 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 22.91 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202524
March 202519
February 202539
January 202529
December 202416
November 202430
October 202426
September 20249
August 202417
July 202416

A total of 40 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.64 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20254
March 20252
February 20251
January 20253
December 20245
November 20243
October 20245
September 20242
August 20247
July 20243

A total of 266 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 24.18 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 41 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202524
March 202541
February 202524
January 202529
December 202421
November 202421
October 202419
September 202420
August 202426
July 202423

A total of 677 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 61.55 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202562
April 202565
March 202561
February 202561
January 202561
December 202461
November 202457
October 202468
September 202451
August 202471
July 202459

A total of 1233 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 112.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 169 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025112
April 2025133
March 202587
February 202574
January 202588
December 202485
November 2024114
October 2024104
September 2024111
August 2024169
July 2024156

A total of 36 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20253
March 20256
February 20254
January 20253
December 20242
November 20241
October 20242
September 20241
August 20243
July 20241

A total of 640 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 58.18 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 77 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202555
April 202577
March 202553
February 202556
January 202546
December 202458
November 202458
October 202451
September 202461
August 202461
July 202464

A total of 478 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 43.45 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 54 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202544
April 202554
March 202544
February 202531
January 202540
December 202443
November 202436
October 202441
September 202452
August 202445
July 202448

A total of 338 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 30.73 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 41 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202537
April 202540
March 202541
February 202526
January 202538
December 202439
November 202425
October 202431
September 202427
August 202420
July 202414

A total of 857 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 77.91 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202581
April 202598
March 202574
February 202559
January 202569
December 202456
November 202463
October 202497
September 202473
August 202497
July 202490

A total of 231 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 21.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202526
March 202523
February 202525
January 202516
December 202415
November 20249
October 202421
September 202431
August 202424
July 202426

A total of 3643 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 331.18 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 372 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025347
April 2025302
March 2025335
February 2025316
January 2025331
December 2024334
November 2024305
October 2024349
September 2024286
August 2024372
July 2024366

High Crime Locations Folkestone and Hythe in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Folkestone and Hythe postcode area is presented below.

1. Police Station (Map)
Total11
Public order7
Criminal damage and arson2
Vehicle crime1
Drugs1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour2
Robbery1
Burglary1
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting9
Public order1
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting9
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences4
Other theft2
Shoplifting1
Drugs1
6. Corunna Close (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences5
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Anti-social behaviour1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.