Crime Rate in Swale: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Swale

The total recorded crimes in Swale, UK in May 2025 are around 1,560 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Swale crime rate of 10.29 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (608) incidents (27.73% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (310) incidents (-1.59% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (152) incidents (21.60% increase)
Swale Crime Hotspots

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

  • High Street with total crimes: 23
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 18
  • Prison with total crimes: 16

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 Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Sheerness (250 crimes), and the safest, East Downs (8 crimes), is 242 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Swale.

Similarly, the area of Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regis (255 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Boughton & Selling (29 crimes), with a difference of 226 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Swale.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Sheerness250
Roman160
Milton Regis118
Sheppey East111
Queenborough and Halfway90

Safest Wards:

St Ann's31
Boughton and Courtenay29
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow22
West Downs10
East Downs8

Most Dangerous Areas:

Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regis255
Borden & The Meads171
Sheerness East142
Sheppey East123
Faversham East117

Safest Areas:

Minster North54
Newington, Halstow & Upchurch52
Sittingbourne South, Bapchild & Bredgar42
Sittingbourne West41
Boughton & Selling29

Swale Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Swale has recorded 1,560 crimes with crime rate of 10.29 ranking 73th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 4 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

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
Canterbury1,569 117,254 616,993 5
Dartford1,141 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham911 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,583 219,161 118,027 1

Swale Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (541 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (161 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 543 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 141 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (471 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (191 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (542 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (240 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (519 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (226 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (598 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (300 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 549 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 289 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 152 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 13.82 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202511
March 202518
February 20255
January 202517
December 20249
November 202414
October 202418
September 20249
August 202418
July 202415

A total of 512 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 46.55 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 59 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202544
April 202544
March 202549
February 202536
January 202548
December 202459
November 202443
October 202447
September 202436
August 202447
July 202459

A total of 5936 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 539.64 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 608 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025608
April 2025476
March 2025600
February 2025489
January 2025541
December 2024543
November 2024471
October 2024542
September 2024519
August 2024598
July 2024549

A total of 1331 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 121.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 162 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025139
April 202587
March 2025123
February 2025107
January 2025121
December 2024105
November 2024133
October 2024128
September 2024110
August 2024162
July 2024116

A total of 330 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 30.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202532
March 202531
February 202531
January 202520
December 202427
November 202429
October 202437
September 202434
August 202433
July 202427

A total of 630 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 57.27 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202559
April 202552
March 202564
February 202546
January 202568
December 202438
November 202460
October 202444
September 202457
August 202471
July 202471

A total of 433 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 39.36 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202540
April 202522
March 202546
February 202524
January 202543
December 202433
November 202450
October 202449
September 202438
August 202444
July 202444

A total of 68 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.18 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 20255
March 20257
February 20252
January 20255
December 20244
November 20243
October 20245
September 20248
August 20249
July 20248

A total of 2636 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 239.64 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 315 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025310
April 2025315
March 2025270
February 2025193
January 2025161
December 2024141
November 2024191
October 2024240
September 2024226
August 2024300
July 2024289

A total of 859 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 78.09 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202579
April 202589
March 202562
February 202563
January 202570
December 202476
November 202483
October 202498
September 202481
August 202488
July 202470

A total of 582 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 52.91 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202555
April 202532
March 202563
February 202546
January 202564
December 202467
November 202458
October 202452
September 202453
August 202452
July 202440

A total of 1456 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 132.36 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 157 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025152
April 2025125
March 2025149
February 202596
January 2025136
December 2024107
November 2024120
October 2024157
September 2024110
August 2024153
July 2024151

A total of 80 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 7.27 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 20254
March 20257
February 20255
January 20255
December 202410
November 20249
October 20246
September 20245
August 20246
July 202412

A total of 51 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20251
March 20253
February 20253
January 20255
December 20243
November 20244
October 202413
September 20244
August 20248
July 20243

High Crime Locations Swale in May 2025

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

1. High Street (Map)
Total23
Shoplifting22
Other crime1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting17
Robbery1
3. Prison (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences15
Other crime1
4. Prison (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences15
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total13
Anti-social behaviour10
Shoplifting2
Drugs1
6. Eastern Avenue (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting8
Criminal damage and arson2
Public order1
Other theft1
Burglary1

  • 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.