Crime Rate in Canterbury: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Canterbury

The total recorded crimes in Canterbury, UK in March 2025 are around 1,459 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Canterbury crime rate of 9.27 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (487) incidents (-6.17% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (237) incidents (12.32% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (199) incidents (48.51% increase)
Canterbury Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 44
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 23
  • Butchery Lane with total crimes: 22

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 (264 crimes), and the safest, Tankerton (11 crimes), is 253 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Canterbury.

Similarly, the area of Canterbury Central & Westgate (264 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Whitstable Central & Tankerton (21 crimes), with a difference of 243 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Canterbury.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Westgate264
Heron176
Barton162
Northgate161
Wincheap127

Safest Wards:

Reculver19
Swalecliffe17
West Bay17
Little Stour & Adisham17
Tankerton11

Most Dangerous Areas:

Canterbury Central & Westgate264
Canterbury Barracks194
Herne Bay Parade121
Whitstable West116
South Canterbury105

Safest Areas:

Beltinge & Bishopstone30
Bridge, Bishopsbourne & Barham30
Herne & Broomfield30
Hoath, Hersden & Littlebourne26
Whitstable Central & Tankerton21

Canterbury Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Canterbury has recorded 97 crimes with crime rate of 9.89 ranking 8287th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 13 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 6 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

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks663 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling875 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells661 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford1,014 1012,638 911,651 9
Folkestone and Hythe794 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,541 820,408 517,055 7
Dover929 712,554 712,219 6
Swale1,492 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,208 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham966 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,535 219,161 118,027 1

Canterbury Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 687 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 68.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 130 reported cases.

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

A total of 5421 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 542.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1002 reported cases.

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

A total of 377 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 37.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 64 reported cases.

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

A total of 132 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 13.20 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 28 reported cases.

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

A total of 1891 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 189.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 398 reported cases.

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

A total of 158 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 15.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 36 reported cases.

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

A total of 1722 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 172.20 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 237 reported cases.

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

A total of 1051 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 105.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 208 reported cases.

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

A total of 112 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 11.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 26 reported cases.

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

A total of 696 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 69.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 128 reported cases.

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

A total of 84 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 8.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

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

A total of 384 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 38.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 72 reported cases.

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

A total of 539 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 53.90 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 81 reported cases.

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

A total of 1207 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 120.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 242 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations Canterbury in March 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total44
Shoplifting44
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total23
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour5
Public order3
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson3
Robbery1
Drugs1
3. Butchery Lane (Map)
Total22
Shoplifting15
Violence and sexual offences4
Bicycle theft2
Other crime1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting19
Vehicle crime1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting14
Anti-social behaviour2
6. Church Street (St Pauls) (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting3
Drugs2
Criminal damage and arson1

  • 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.