Sheerness faces scrutiny as a TikTok video highlights its crime rates and reputation
Sheerness: Recently, a TikTok user stirred up some chatter about Sheerness, calling it the “worst” seaside town and one of the most dangerous spots in England. Phil Carr, the user, didn’t hold back, saying it’s worse than a prison colony.
He claimed it’s probably the most dangerous place in the southeast. And you know what? Recent stats back him up. Sheerness is ranked as the second most dangerous small town in Kent, landing in the top 10 for the whole UK.
Last year, the town saw a staggering 181 crimes for every 1,000 residents, which adds up to over 2,300 crimes among its 13,000 people. That’s a lot for such a small place!
According to the Office for National Statistics, Sheerness is one of the most deprived areas in England. It scored 77.9 out of 100 on the deprivation scale, which looks at things like income, education, and health.
One local didn’t mince words, calling it an “isolated hellhole” and an “industrial eyesore.” They even warned anyone thinking of moving there to reconsider, saying even Thanet looks better.
But not everyone feels that way. Some residents believe their town still has a strong community vibe. Alice, who works at a local funeral home, said she wouldn’t leave because everyone knows each other. It’s like a big family.
She admitted there are some rough spots but insisted they don’t have much trouble. Martin, a long-time resident, echoed her thoughts, saying it’s more like a large village than a prison.
Helen, who works at a fish and chip shop, has seen some crime but hasn’t experienced anything too serious herself. She mentioned seeing arguments or people running, but nothing alarming.
Despite the negative reputation, Sheerness has some bright spots. Its beach was recently named one of the best in Kent, earning a Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety.
Plus, there’s Barton’s Point Coastal Park, a beautiful area for outdoor fun like windsurfing and kayaking. It’s also a great spot for fishing and has a model engineering society with miniature train rides.
