Crime in Folkestone and Hythe: statistics, rates and trends
9,548 crimes were recorded in Folkestone and Hythe in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Folkestone and Hythe at a glance
- Crime trends in Folkestone and Hythe
- Types of crime in Folkestone and Hythe
- Folkestone and Hythe compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Folkestone and Hythe
- Streets with the most crime in Folkestone and Hythe
- What happened after crimes were reported in Folkestone and Hythe
- Population and deprivation in Folkestone and Hythe
- Questions about crime in Folkestone and Hythe
- About this data
9,548 crimes were recorded in Folkestone and Hythe in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,427 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Folkestone and Hythe has the 160th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Folkestone and Hythe | Kent | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 9,548 | 145,448 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 84.9 | 88.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +0% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 112,411 | 1,639,029 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Folkestone and Hythe was highest in the year to July 2020 (12,820 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (9,541). Over the whole period it fell 24%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 9,548 | 84.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 9,541 | 84.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 9,873 | 87.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 10,673 | 94.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 11,633 | 103.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 12,491 | 111.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 12,820 | 114.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 12,724 | 113.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 12,513 | 111.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,024 |
| June 2026 | 885 |
| May 2026 | 789 |
| April 2026 | 745 |
| March 2026 | 837 |
| February 2026 | 710 |
| January 2026 | 721 |
| December 2025 | 714 |
| November 2025 | 813 |
| October 2025 | 749 |
| September 2025 | 648 |
| August 2025 | 913 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Folkestone and Hythe over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in robbery (+91%) and possession of weapons (+43%).
The largest falls were in public order (-20%) and violence and sexual offences (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,427 | 30.5 | 0.89 | -13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,774 | 15.8 | 1.03 | +31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 886 | 7.9 | 1.16 | -0% |
| Shoplifting | 837 | 7.4 | 0.90 | +11% |
| Other theft | 667 | 5.9 | 0.93 | -1% |
| Drugs | 446 | 4.0 | 1.21 | +19% |
| Public order | 407 | 3.6 | 0.54 | -20% |
| Other crime | 282 | 2.5 | 1.19 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 279 | 2.5 | 0.50 | +6% |
| Burglary | 232 | 2.1 | 0.58 | -5% |
| Possession of weapons | 130 | 1.2 | 1.19 | +43% |
| Robbery | 86 | 0.8 | 0.57 | +91% |
| Bicycle theft | 50 | 0.4 | 0.54 | +2% |
| Theft from the person | 45 | 0.4 | 0.24 | -2% |
Violence and sexual offences in Folkestone and Hythe
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 3,427 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 35.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Folkestone and Hythe
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 1,774 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 18.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Folkestone and Hythe
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 886 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Folkestone and Hythe
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Folkestone and Hythe
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 667 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Folkestone and Hythe
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 446 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Folkestone and Hythe
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Folkestone and Hythe
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Folkestone and Hythe
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Folkestone and Hythe
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 232 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Folkestone and Hythe
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Folkestone and Hythe
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Folkestone and Hythe
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Folkestone and Hythe
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Folkestone and Hythe recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Folkestone and Hythe, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Folkestone and Hythe.
24 areas within Folkestone and Hythe, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Folkestone Central had the highest rate (225.2 per 1,000) and Lympne the lowest (23.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folkestone Central | Neighbourhood | 12,017 | 2,706 | 225.2 |
| Folkestone | Town | 54,005 | 6,634 | 122.8 |
| Folkestone Harbour | Neighbourhood | 7,023 | 852 | 121.3 |
| Broadmead | Neighbourhood | 4,909 | 584 | 119.0 |
| East Folkestone | Neighbourhood | 10,610 | 1,025 | 96.6 |
| New Romney | Town | 4,035 | 331 | 82.0 |
| Cheriton | Neighbourhood | 13,977 | 1,139 | 81.5 |
| Hythe | Neighbourhood | 10,216 | 634 | 62.1 |
| New Romney | Neighbourhood | 7,407 | 458 | 61.8 |
| Sandgate & West Folkestone | Neighbourhood | 5,469 | 328 | 60.0 |
| Walland & Denge Marsh | Neighbourhood | 7,588 | 452 | 59.6 |
| Lydd | Town | 3,908 | 217 | 55.5 |
| Hawkinge | Town | 8,689 | 448 | 51.6 |
| Dymchurch | Town | 3,483 | 173 | 49.7 |
| Romney Marsh | Neighbourhood | 7,359 | 346 | 47.0 |
| North Downs East | Neighbourhood | 14,109 | 653 | 46.3 |
| Hythe | Town | 13,677 | 630 | 46.1 |
| Littlestone-on-Sea | Town | 5,671 | 225 | 39.7 |
| Sellindge | Town | 2,129 | 84 | 39.5 |
| St Mary's Bay | Town | 2,650 | 97 | 36.6 |
| Hythe Rural | Neighbourhood | 6,802 | 216 | 31.8 |
| North Downs West | Neighbourhood | 4,925 | 155 | 31.5 |
| Lyminge | Town | 1,295 | 31 | 23.9 |
| Lympne | Town | 1,880 | 45 | 23.9 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Folkestone and Hythe over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 512 |
| On or near Supermarket | 413 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 233 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 219 |
| On or near Police Station | 176 |
| On or near Sussex Road | 147 |
| On or near Marine Terrace | 145 |
| On or near Cheriton Interchange | 139 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 111 |
| On or near Claremont Road | 103 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Folkestone and Hythe over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2,926 | 30.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,445 | 25.6% |
| Not recorded | 1,774 | 18.6% |
| Under investigation | 650 | 6.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 574 | 6.0% |
| Local resolution | 317 | 3.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 264 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 254 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 181 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 117 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 24 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.1% |
Folkestone and Hythe has an estimated population of 112,411. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Folkestone and Hythe sits in decile 4.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Folkestone and Hythe |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.6% |
| Social rented homes | 10.9% |
| Private rented homes | 22.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.6% |
Is Folkestone and Hythe a safe place to live?
Folkestone and Hythe recorded 84.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Folkestone and Hythe?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 3,427 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,774).
Is crime in Folkestone and Hythe going up or down?
Recorded crime in Folkestone and Hythe was almost unchanged on the year before: 9,548 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 9,541 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Folkestone and Hythe?
Folkestone and Hythe is policed by Kent. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Folkestone and Hythe. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.