Crime Rate in North Downs West: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in North Downs West

The total recorded crimes in North Downs West, Folkestone and Hythe, UK in May 2025 are around 25 as per the recent police data. This equates to a North Downs West crime rate of 30.68 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 North Downs West, encompassing approximately 814 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (12) incidents (-20.00% decrease)
  • Vehicle crime: (4) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (4) incidents (300.00% increase)
North Downs West Crime Hotspots

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

  • The Cygnets with total crimes: 5
  • Stone Street with total crimes: 3
  • Misling Lane with total crimes: 3

How safe is North Downs West?

To understand the safety of North Downs West, we need to analyze North Downs West crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Folkestone and Hythe:

    • In 2024, North Downs West demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Folkestone and Hythe average, with 330 crimes compared to 818.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, North Downs West recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 12 other areas in the Folkestone and Hythe.

    • In 2023, North Downs West had fewer crimes than the Folkestone and Hythe average, with 253 crimes compared to 787. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, North Downs West recorded fewer crimes than 12 out of 12 other areas in the Folkestone and Hythe.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Folkestone and Hythe, North Downs West has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

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

North Downs West Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the North Downs West has recorded 25 crimes with crime rate of 30.68 ranking 12th out of 12 in the Folkestone and Hythe, UK

In 2024, the total North Downs West crimes were 330. The crime rate of North Downs West in 2024 was 404.96 (year) or 33.75 (month) ranking it 11 dangerous area in the Folkestone and Hythe.

In 2023, the total crimes in North Downs West were around 253 crimes with yearly crime rate of 310.47 (year) or 25.87 (month) ranking 13 most dangerous area in the Folkestone and Hythe.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (North Downs West)CrimesRank (North Downs West)CrimesRank (North Downs West)
Folkestone Central227 13,062 12,591 1
Cheriton77 3967 31,144 2
East Folkestone77 41,050 21,067 3
North Downs East88 2812 4931 4
Folkestone Harbour61 6808 5929 5
Hythe63 5767 6659 6
Broadmead49 8708 7640 7
Walland & Denge Marsh56 7515 9527 8
New Romney29 10591 8521 9
Romney Marsh33 9441 10409 10
Hythe Rural14 13327 12292 11
Sandgate & West Folkestone26 11251 13270 12

North Downs West Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (12 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (4 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (15 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Drugs (6 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (4 incidents) and then Drugs showed a substantial number of incidents (3 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 10 incidents, and Burglary was another prevalent crime category with 4 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Drugs (8 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 7 incidents, and Other theft was another prevalent crime category with 7 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (6 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (2 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (16 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (4 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (11 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Theft from the person (3 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (23 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (7 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 5 incidents, and Other theft was another prevalent crime category with 3 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (12 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (8 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (15 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (8 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 139 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 10.69 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202515
March 20253
February 202510
January 20254
December 20247
November 20246
October 202416
September 202411
August 202423
July 20245
June 202412
May 202415

A total of 15 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.14 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20254
November 20242
October 20241
September 20242
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 28 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20251
March 20253
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
October 20244
September 20242
August 20245
July 20243
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 25 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.12 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20254
December 20247
November 20241
September 20241
August 20241
July 20243
June 20246

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
September 20241
May 20241

A total of 28 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20256
March 20253
February 20251
January 20258
October 20243
September 20242
June 20242
May 20243

A total of 45 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20254
March 20254
December 20247
November 20241
October 20243
September 20241
August 20247
July 20242
June 20248
May 20248

A total of 20 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20253
February 20254
December 20241
September 20242
August 20241
June 20246
May 20241

A total of 10 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.43 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
February 20251
December 20241
October 20243
September 20241
July 20241
June 20242

A total of 8 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
October 20241
September 20242
August 20241
May 20241

A total of 5 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
June 20244

A total of 4 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20241
September 20243

High Crime Locations North Downs West in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the North Downs West postcode area is presented below.

1. The Cygnets (Map)
Total5
Possession of weapons3
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
2. Stone Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
3. Misling Lane (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
4. Gate Lane (Map)
Total3
Vehicle crime3
5. Canterbury Road (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total3
Criminal damage and arson1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Mayfield Road (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Palm Tree Way (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Ashford Road (Map)
Total1
Other theft1
10. Leafield (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1

  • 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.