Crime Rate in Swale: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Swale

The total recorded crimes in Swale, UK in February 2026 are around 1,209 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Swale crime rate of 7.97 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 Swale, encompassing approximately 151,677 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (454) incidents (-5.22% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (251) incidents (10.09% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (120) incidents (-11.76% decrease)
Swale Crime Hotspots

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

  • Prison with total crimes: 25
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 22
  • Hare Street with total crimes: 19

Swale Police Info:

Kent Police

How safe is Swale?

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

    • Swale has recorded 17,812 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 117.43 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 82 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 16,687 crimes with a crime rate of 110.02, ranking it 98 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Kent:

    • In 2024, Swale reported a higher crime volume than the Kent average, with 17,812 crimes compared to 13,931. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Swale recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Swale experienced a greater number of crimes than the Kent average, with 16,687 crimes compared to 13,095. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Swale recorded fewer crimes than 8 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

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

Swale Crime Statstics

In February 2026 the Swale has recorded 1,209 crimes with crime rate of 7.97 ranking 90th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 5 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2024, the total Swale crimes were 17,812. The crime rate of Swale in 2024 was 117.43 (year) or 9.79 (month) ranking it 82 danzarous in the UK. Swale ranked 3 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2023, the total crimes in Swale were around 16,687 crimes with yearly crime rate of 110.02 (year) or 9.17 (month) ranking 98 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Kent, Swale ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 4 as per crime rate of Swale

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
Canterbury1,308 117,254 616,993 5
Dartford1,101 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham791 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,211 219,161 118,027 1

Swale 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 454 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 251 incidents.

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (479 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (228 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 504 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 243 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (442 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (247 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (463 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (223 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (427 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (279 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (543 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (372 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 592 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 395 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (580 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (288 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (608 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (310 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (476 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (315 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (600 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (270 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 489 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 193 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3614 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 278.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 395 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026251
January 2026228
December 2025243
November 2025247
October 2025223
September 2025279
August 2025372
July 2025395
June 2025288
May 2025310
April 2025315
March 2025270
February 2025193

A total of 657 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 50.54 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202631
January 202663
December 202546
November 202555
October 202566
September 202553
August 202545
July 202564
June 202538
May 202555
April 202532
March 202563
February 202546

A total of 35 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.69 incidents per month. February 2026 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20264
January 20261
December 20253
November 20252
October 20251
September 20253
August 20253
July 20253
June 20254
May 20254
April 20251
March 20253
February 20253

A total of 1395 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 107.31 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 139 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026115
January 2026115
December 202585
November 2025126
October 202581
September 202588
August 2025105
July 2025109
June 2025115
May 2025139
April 202587
March 2025123
February 2025107

A total of 121 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 9.31 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20266
January 20267
December 20257
November 202511
October 20258
September 20259
August 202514
July 202516
June 202516
May 202511
April 20254
March 20257
February 20255

A total of 689 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 53.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202639
January 202637
December 202541
November 202551
October 202545
September 202551
August 202550
July 202578
June 202576
May 202559
April 202552
March 202564
February 202546

A total of 186 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 14.31 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202614
January 202612
December 202511
November 202521
October 202511
September 202514
August 202514
July 202518
June 202519
May 202518
April 202511
March 202518
February 20255

A total of 6657 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 512.08 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 608 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026454
January 2026479
December 2025504
November 2025442
October 2025463
September 2025427
August 2025543
July 2025592
June 2025580
May 2025608
April 2025476
March 2025600
February 2025489

A total of 984 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 75.69 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 101 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202668
January 202682
December 202569
November 2025101
October 202564
September 202565
August 202575
July 202593
June 202574
May 202579
April 202589
March 202562
February 202563

A total of 564 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 43.38 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 60 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202639
January 202660
December 202537
November 202557
October 202536
September 202540
August 202540
July 202547
June 202535
May 202544
April 202544
March 202549
February 202536

A total of 414 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 31.85 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202638
January 202652
December 202537
November 202526
October 202527
September 202527
August 202525
July 202537
June 202522
May 202529
April 202532
March 202531
February 202531

A total of 1733 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 133.31 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 174 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026120
January 2026136
December 2025148
November 2025122
October 2025129
September 202597
August 2025144
July 2025174
June 2025141
May 2025152
April 2025125
March 2025149
February 202596

A total of 436 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 33.54 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 55 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202627
January 202639
December 202538
November 202532
October 202526
September 202530
August 202555
July 202528
June 202529
May 202540
April 202522
March 202546
February 202524

A total of 79 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.08 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20263
January 20266
December 20254
November 20253
October 20252
September 20258
August 202512
July 202510
June 20255
May 202512
April 20255
March 20257
February 20252

High Crime Locations Swale in February 2026

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

1. Prison (Map)
Total25
Violence and sexual offences22
Public order1
Other crime1
Drugs1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total22
Anti-social behaviour11
Violence and sexual offences9
Shoplifting1
Other crime1
3. Hare Street (Map)
Total19
Anti-social behaviour11
Criminal damage and arson6
Possession of weapons1
Other theft1
4. Prison (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences13
Other crime3
Public order1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total17
Shoplifting9
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order1
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting8
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order2
Criminal damage and arson2

  • 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.