Crime in Littlestone-on-Sea: statistics, rates and trends
209 crimes were recorded in Littlestone-on-Sea in the 12 months to August 2026, 36.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Littlestone-on-Sea at a glance
- Crime trends in Littlestone-on-Sea
- Types of crime in Littlestone-on-Sea
- Littlestone-on-Sea compared with nearby towns
- Streets with the most crime in Littlestone-on-Sea
- What happened after crimes were reported in Littlestone-on-Sea
- Demographics of Littlestone-on-Sea
- Questions about crime in Littlestone-on-Sea
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (111), anti-social behaviour (20) and criminal damage and arson (18) made up 71% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,326th of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | Littlestone-on-Sea | Folkestone and Hythe | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 209 | 9,645 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 36.9 | 85.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 5,671 | 112,411 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Littlestone-on-Sea of any year here (209 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 36%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 209 | 36.9 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 224 | 39.5 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 276 | 48.7 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 280 | 49.4 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 280 | 49.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 312 | 55.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 301 | 53.1 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 339 | 59.8 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 326 | 57.5 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 13 |
| July 2026 | 22 |
| June 2026 | 9 |
| May 2026 | 12 |
| April 2026 | 14 |
| March 2026 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 21 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 23 |
| October 2025 | 13 |
| September 2025 | 19 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and anti-social behaviour (77% below) and violence and sexual offences (43% below) were well below it. On the year before, anti-social behaviour fell from 27 to 20.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 111 | 19.6 | 34.2 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 20 | 3.5 | 15.4 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 18 | 3.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other theft | 16 | 2.8 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Other crime | 13 | 2.3 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Drugs | 8 | 1.4 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 8 | 1.4 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Public order | 7 | 1.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 6 | 1.1 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 1 | 0.2 | 8.5 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Every one of the 8 nearest towns has a higher crime rate than Littlestone-on-Sea.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Littlestone-on-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hythe | 663 | 48.5 | +32% |
| Folkestone | 6,682 | 123.7 | +236% |
| Ashford (Ashford) | 7,962 | 95.7 | +160% |
| Hawkinge | 446 | 51.3 | +39% |
| Tenterden | 530 | 70.7 | +92% |
| Dover | 5,526 | 150.1 | +307% |
| Hastings | 13,338 | 146.2 | +297% |
| Whitfield (Dover) | 453 | 68.9 | +87% |
The 10 locations below account for 49% of the crime recorded in Littlestone-on-Sea over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Nether Avenue” (16).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nether Avenue | 16 |
| On or near The Parade | 15 |
| On or near Coast Drive | 14 |
| On or near Williamson Road | 11 |
| On or near Coast Road | 10 |
| On or near Parking Area | 9 |
| On or near Meehan Road | 8 |
| On or near B2071 | 7 |
| On or near Baldwin Road | 6 |
| On or near Channel Watch | 6 |
Of the 189 crimes in Littlestone-on-Sea with a recorded outcome, 30% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.2% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 20 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 93 | 49.2% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 57 | 30.2% | 35.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 7.4% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 3.2% | 5.2% |
| Under investigation | 6 | 3.2% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 4 | 2.1% | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.5% | 2.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
Littlestone-on-Sea has an estimated population of 5,671 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (40%, against 19%), less social housing (0.4%, against 17.1%) and more retired residents (42%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Littlestone-on-Sea average decile 4.4 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Littlestone-on-Sea | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 10.9% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 40.0% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 42.9% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.1% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 41.6% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.4% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 21.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 23.2% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 10.2% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 85.3% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 0.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 14.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.4 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Littlestone-on-Sea a safe place to live?
Littlestone-on-Sea recorded 36.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,326th of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Littlestone-on-Sea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 111 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (20).
Is crime in Littlestone-on-Sea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Littlestone-on-Sea was down 7% on the year before: 209 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 224 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Littlestone-on-Sea?
About 5,671 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 40% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Littlestone-on-Sea?
Littlestone-on-Sea is policed by Kent.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.