Crime Rate in Canterbury: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Canterbury

The total recorded crimes in Canterbury, UK in May 2025 are around 1,569 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Canterbury crime rate of 9.97 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 Canterbury, encompassing approximately 157,429 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (535) incidents (14.81% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (246) incidents (23.00% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (237) incidents (3.04% increase)
Canterbury Crime Hotspots

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

  • St George'S Lane with total crimes: 37
  • Hospital with total crimes: 28
  • Bus/Coach Station with total crimes: 26

Canterbury Police Info:

Kent Police

How safe is Canterbury?

To understand the safety of Canterbury, we need to analyze Canterbury 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:

    • Canterbury has recorded 17,254 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 109.60 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 108 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 16,993 crimes with a crime rate of 107.94, ranking it 101 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Kent:

    • In 2024, Canterbury reported a higher crime volume than the Kent average, with 17,254 crimes compared to 13,931. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Canterbury recorded fewer crimes than 8 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Canterbury experienced a greater number of crimes than the Kent average, with 16,993 crimes compared to 13,095. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Canterbury recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Canterbury is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Kent, Canterbury has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Canterbury Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Westgate (319 crimes), and the safest, Swalecliffe (12 crimes), is 307 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Canterbury.

Similarly, the area of Canterbury Central & Westgate (319 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Beltinge & Bishopstone (21 crimes), with a difference of 298 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Canterbury.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Westgate319
Heron211
Barton166
Northgate128
Wincheap117

Safest Wards:

Beltinge22
Little Stour & Adisham20
Tankerton16
Reculver15
Swalecliffe12

Most Dangerous Areas:

Canterbury Central & Westgate319
Canterbury Barracks180
Herne Bay Parade154
South Canterbury94
Canterbury Wincheap89

Safest Areas:

Hoath, Hersden & Littlebourne41
Herne & Broomfield40
Bridge, Bishopsbourne & Barham36
Chestfield & South Tankerton31
Beltinge & Bishopstone21

Canterbury Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Canterbury has recorded 1,569 crimes with crime rate of 9.97 ranking 7293th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2024, the total Canterbury crimes were 17,254. The crime rate of Canterbury in 2024 was 109.60 (year) or 9.13 (month) ranking it 108 danzarous in the UK. Canterbury ranked 4 in terms of total crimes and 6 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2023, the total crimes in Canterbury were around 16,993 crimes with yearly crime rate of 107.94 (year) or 9.00 (month) ranking 101 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Kent, Canterbury ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 5 as per crime rate of Canterbury

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
Folkestone and Hythe825 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,600 820,408 517,055 7
Dover1,098 712,554 712,219 6
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

Canterbury Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (535 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (246 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (466 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (230 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (487 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (237 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 519 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 211 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (486 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (155 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 450 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 164 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (422 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (152 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (524 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (186 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (426 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (174 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (551 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (223 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 554 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 187 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1002 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (398 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 793 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 66.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 130 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202555
April 202551
March 202567
February 202556
January 202562
December 202464
November 202450
October 202461
September 202451
August 202461
July 202485
June 2024130

A total of 123 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20256
March 202512
February 20252
January 20252
December 20246
November 202412
October 202410
September 202413
August 202413
July 202416
June 202426

A total of 1468 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 122.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 242 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025128
April 2025133
March 2025132
February 2025101
January 2025116
December 202495
November 2024100
October 202496
September 2024100
August 2024114
July 2024111
June 2024242

A total of 670 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202571
April 202560
March 202552
February 202532
January 202537
December 202455
November 202458
October 202481
September 202458
August 202439
July 202449
June 202478

A total of 1226 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 102.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 208 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202590
April 202585
March 202591
February 202593
January 202587
December 202493
November 2024122
October 202493
September 202486
August 2024100
July 202478
June 2024208

A total of 166 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.83 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202521
March 202511
February 20256
January 20257
December 20249
November 202417
October 20247
September 202428
August 202418
July 20249
June 202420

A total of 808 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 67.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 128 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202566
April 202546
March 202562
February 202558
January 202562
December 202447
November 202443
October 202467
September 202468
August 202491
July 202470
June 2024128

A total of 443 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 36.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202525
March 202538
February 202528
January 202530
December 202429
November 202430
October 202429
September 202443
August 202448
July 202438
June 202464

A total of 465 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202545
April 202536
March 202543
February 202545
January 202533
December 202427
November 202439
October 202424
September 202428
August 202433
July 202440
June 202472

A total of 2337 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 194.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 398 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025246
April 2025200
March 2025199
February 2025134
January 2025155
December 2024129
November 2024133
October 2024159
September 2024174
August 2024223
July 2024187
June 2024398

A total of 2189 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 182.42 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 237 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025237
April 2025230
March 2025237
February 2025211
January 2025148
December 2024164
November 2024152
October 2024186
September 2024136
August 2024128
July 2024132
June 2024228

A total of 117 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.75 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202514
March 20258
February 20253
January 202510
December 20246
November 202411
October 20241
September 202411
August 202410
July 20248
June 202416

A total of 191 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202515
March 202520
February 20258
January 202511
December 20245
November 202415
October 202419
September 202414
August 202412
July 202418
June 202436

A total of 6422 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 535.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1002 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025535
April 2025466
March 2025487
February 2025519
January 2025486
December 2024450
November 2024422
October 2024524
September 2024426
August 2024551
July 2024554
June 20241002

High Crime Locations Canterbury in May 2025

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

1. St George'S Lane (Map)
Total37
Shoplifting37
2. Hospital (Map)
Total28
Violence and sexual offences24
Criminal damage and arson4
3. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total26
Violence and sexual offences10
Drugs9
Public order3
Possession of weapons2
Criminal damage and arson2
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting16
Anti-social behaviour5
Robbery1
Drugs1
Burglary1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total23
Violence and sexual offences10
Anti-social behaviour8
Public order2
Other theft2
Bicycle theft1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting20
Bicycle theft1

To know about postcode areas in Canterbury, visit Canterbury information

  • 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
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