Crime Rate in Canterbury: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Canterbury

The total recorded crimes in Canterbury, UK in July 2025 are around 1,780 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Canterbury crime rate of 11.31 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (583) incidents (7.56% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (356) incidents (30.88% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (274) incidents (19.65% increase)
Canterbury Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 48
  • Butchery Lane with total crimes: 31
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 30

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 (340 crimes), and the safest, Beltinge (17 crimes), is 323 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Canterbury.

Similarly, the area of Canterbury Central & Westgate (340 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Beltinge & Bishopstone (29 crimes), with a difference of 311 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Canterbury.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Westgate340
Gorrell208
Heron194
Barton183
Northgate174

Safest Wards:

Swalecliffe22
Nailbourne22
West Bay21
Reculver20
Beltinge17

Most Dangerous Areas:

Canterbury Central & Westgate340
Canterbury Barracks218
Whitstable West171
Herne Bay Parade144
South Canterbury115

Safest Areas:

Herne & Broomfield43
Hoath, Hersden & Littlebourne34
Blean Forest, Chartham Hatch & University32
Bridge, Bishopsbourne & Barham31
Beltinge & Bishopstone29

Canterbury Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Canterbury has recorded 1,780 crimes with crime rate of 11.31 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

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks755 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling831 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells778 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford1,081 1012,638 911,651 9
Folkestone and Hythe931 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,781 820,408 517,055 7
Dover1,088 712,554 712,219 6
Swale1,664 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,334 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham1,008 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,816 219,161 118,027 1

Canterbury Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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.

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 421 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 35.08 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202537
June 202531
May 202545
April 202536
March 202543
February 202545
January 202533
December 202427
November 202439
October 202424
September 202428
August 202433

A total of 1127 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 93.92 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 122 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025103
June 202584
May 202590
April 202585
March 202591
February 202593
January 202587
December 202493
November 2024122
October 202493
September 202486
August 2024100

A total of 165 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.75 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202519
June 20259
May 202513
April 202521
March 202511
February 20256
January 20257
December 20249
November 202417
October 20247
September 202428
August 202418

A total of 2332 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 194.33 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 274 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025274
June 2025229
May 2025237
April 2025230
March 2025237
February 2025211
January 2025148
December 2024164
November 2024152
October 2024186
September 2024136
August 2024128

A total of 651 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202564
June 202544
May 202571
April 202560
March 202552
February 202532
January 202537
December 202455
November 202458
October 202481
September 202458
August 202439

A total of 169 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202517
May 202518
April 202515
March 202520
February 20258
January 202511
December 20245
November 202415
October 202419
September 202414
August 202412

A total of 2380 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 198.33 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 356 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025356
June 2025272
May 2025246
April 2025200
March 2025199
February 2025134
January 2025155
December 2024129
November 2024133
October 2024159
September 2024174
August 2024223

A total of 663 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.25 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202551
June 202534
May 202555
April 202551
March 202567
February 202556
January 202562
December 202464
November 202450
October 202461
September 202451
August 202461

A total of 735 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 61.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 91 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202563
June 202562
May 202566
April 202546
March 202562
February 202558
January 202562
December 202447
November 202443
October 202467
September 202468
August 202491

A total of 5991 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 499.25 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 583 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025583
June 2025542
May 2025535
April 2025466
March 2025487
February 2025519
January 2025486
December 2024450
November 2024422
October 2024524
September 2024426
August 2024551

A total of 427 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 35.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202541
June 202545
May 202541
April 202525
March 202538
February 202528
January 202530
December 202429
November 202430
October 202429
September 202443
August 202448

A total of 134 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.17 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202523
May 202519
April 202514
March 20258
February 20253
January 202510
December 20246
November 202411
October 20241
September 202411
August 202410

A total of 96 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20259
May 20255
April 20256
March 202512
February 20252
January 20252
December 20246
November 202412
October 202410
September 202413
August 202413

A total of 1388 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 115.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025150
June 2025123
May 2025128
April 2025133
March 2025132
February 2025101
January 2025116
December 202495
November 2024100
October 202496
September 2024100
August 2024114

High Crime Locations Canterbury in July 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting47
Robbery1
2. Butchery Lane (Map)
Total31
Shoplifting11
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour5
Robbery3
Other theft3
Public order2
Other crime1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting30
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total29
Shoplifting24
Criminal damage and arson3
Other theft1
Bicycle theft1
5. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order5
Drugs4
Criminal damage and arson4
Anti-social behaviour4
Possession of weapons1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total22
Shoplifting22

  • 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.