Crime Rate in Canterbury: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Canterbury

The total recorded crimes in Canterbury, UK in February 2026 are around 1,308 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Canterbury crime rate of 8.31 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 Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (448) incidents (2.75% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (234) incidents (10.90% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (143) incidents (10.00% increase)
Canterbury Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 27
  • Bus/Coach Station with total crimes: 20
  • High Street with total crimes: 19

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 Statstics

In February 2026 the Canterbury has recorded 1,308 crimes with crime rate of 8.31 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

CityFebruary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks585 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling677 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells692 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford764 1012,638 911,651 9
Folkestone and Hythe716 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,199 820,408 517,055 7
Dover782 712,554 712,219 6
Swale1,209 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,101 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham791 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,211 219,161 118,027 1

Canterbury Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

February 2026 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 448 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 234 incidents.

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (436 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (211 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 483 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 227 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (542 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (230 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (467 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (244 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (409 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (244 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (563 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (318 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 583 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 356 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (542 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (272 cases).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3115 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 239.62 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 356 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026234
January 2026211
December 2025227
November 2025230
October 2025244
September 2025244
August 2025318
July 2025356
June 2025272
May 2025246
April 2025200
March 2025199
February 2025134

A total of 720 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 55.38 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202652
January 202663
December 202562
November 202553
October 202565
September 202563
August 202548
July 202551
June 202534
May 202555
April 202551
March 202567
February 202556

A total of 88 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.77 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20268
January 20267
December 20258
November 20253
October 20258
September 20257
August 20257
July 20256
June 20259
May 20255
April 20256
March 202512
February 20252

A total of 2854 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 219.54 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 297 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026143
January 2026130
December 2025205
November 2025195
October 2025235
September 2025231
August 2025297
July 2025274
June 2025229
May 2025237
April 2025230
March 2025237
February 2025211

A total of 176 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.54 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20268
January 202610
December 202512
November 202514
October 202517
September 202516
August 202514
July 202518
June 202523
May 202519
April 202514
March 20258
February 20253

A total of 715 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 55.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202641
January 202645
December 202548
November 202553
October 202562
September 202555
August 202554
July 202563
June 202562
May 202566
April 202546
March 202562
February 202558

A total of 178 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.69 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202612
January 202613
December 202511
November 202511
October 202511
September 202513
August 202514
July 202515
June 202517
May 202518
April 202515
March 202520
February 20258

A total of 6480 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 498.46 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 583 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026448
January 2026436
December 2025483
November 2025542
October 2025467
September 2025409
August 2025563
July 2025583
June 2025542
May 2025535
April 2025466
March 2025487
February 2025519

A total of 1189 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 91.46 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 122 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202682
January 202686
December 202582
November 2025122
October 2025104
September 202566
August 2025101
July 2025103
June 202584
May 202590
April 202585
March 202591
February 202593

A total of 453 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 34.85 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202628
January 202638
December 202528
November 202526
October 202527
September 202530
August 202539
July 202537
June 202531
May 202545
April 202536
March 202543
February 202545

A total of 705 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 54.23 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202660
January 202669
December 202566
November 202542
October 202557
September 202531
August 202557
July 202564
June 202544
May 202571
April 202560
March 202552
February 202532

A total of 1646 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 126.62 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026136
January 2026133
December 2025127
November 2025131
October 2025120
September 202589
August 2025143
July 2025150
June 2025123
May 2025128
April 2025133
March 2025132
February 2025101

A total of 475 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 36.54 incidents per month. February 2026 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202646
January 202642
December 202535
November 202525
October 202544
September 202533
August 202532
July 202541
June 202545
May 202541
April 202525
March 202538
February 202528

A total of 181 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.92 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202610
January 202614
December 202516
November 202516
October 202516
September 202517
August 202513
July 202519
June 20259
May 202513
April 202521
March 202511
February 20256

High Crime Locations Canterbury in February 2026

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting27
2. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total20
Public order5
Criminal damage and arson5
Violence and sexual offences4
Drugs4
Possession of weapons1
Other crime1
3. High Street (Map)
Total19
Anti-social behaviour9
Violence and sexual offences7
Shoplifting2
Theft from the person1
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences8
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order2
Criminal damage and arson2
Burglary1
Bicycle theft1
5. Butchery Lane (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Shoplifting2
Criminal damage and arson2
Theft from the person1
Possession of weapons1
Burglary1
6. Vauxhall Avenue (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting12
Other crime1

  • 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.