Crime Rate in Swale: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Swale

The total recorded crimes in Swale, UK in July 2025 are around 1,664 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Swale crime rate of 10.97 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (592) incidents (2.07% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (395) incidents (37.15% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (174) incidents (23.40% increase)
Swale Crime Hotspots

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

  • Prison with total crimes: 31
  • Oak Road with total crimes: 18
  • Victory Street with total crimes: 17

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 (255 crimes), and the safest, East Downs (12 crimes), is 243 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Swale.

Similarly, the area of Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regis (232 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Minster North (27 crimes), with a difference of 205 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Swale.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Sheerness255
Sheppey East161
Roman161
Murston91
Abbey77

Safest Wards:

Boughton and Courtenay42
The Meads36
West Downs22
Woodstock19
East Downs12

Most Dangerous Areas:

Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regis232
Sheppey East182
Sheerness East140
Faversham East137
Borden & The Meads132

Safest Areas:

Teynham & Badlesmere60
Sittingbourne South, Bapchild & Bredgar54
Sittingbourne West44
Boughton & Selling42
Minster North27

Swale Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Swale has recorded 1,664 crimes with crime rate of 10.97 ranking 74th 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

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
Canterbury1,780 117,254 616,993 5
Dartford1,334 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham1,008 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,816 219,161 118,027 1

Swale 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 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.

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 956 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 79.67 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202593
June 202574
May 202579
April 202589
March 202562
February 202563
January 202570
December 202476
November 202483
October 202498
September 202481
August 202488

A total of 644 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 53.67 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202564
June 202538
May 202555
April 202532
March 202563
February 202546
January 202564
December 202467
November 202458
October 202452
September 202453
August 202452

A total of 446 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 37.17 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202528
June 202529
May 202540
April 202522
March 202546
February 202524
January 202543
December 202433
November 202450
October 202449
September 202438
August 202444

A total of 6559 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 546.58 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 608 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025592
June 2025580
May 2025608
April 2025476
March 2025600
February 2025489
January 2025541
December 2024543
November 2024471
October 2024542
September 2024519
August 2024598

A total of 174 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202519
May 202518
April 202511
March 202518
February 20255
January 202517
December 20249
November 202414
October 202418
September 20249
August 202418

A total of 75 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202510
June 20255
May 202512
April 20255
March 20257
February 20252
January 20255
December 20244
November 20243
October 20245
September 20248
August 20249

A total of 535 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 44.58 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 59 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202547
June 202535
May 202544
April 202544
March 202549
February 202536
January 202548
December 202459
November 202443
October 202447
September 202436
August 202447

A total of 1439 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 119.92 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 162 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025109
June 2025115
May 2025139
April 202587
March 2025123
February 2025107
January 2025121
December 2024105
November 2024133
October 2024128
September 2024110
August 2024162

A total of 1620 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 135.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 174 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025174
June 2025141
May 2025152
April 2025125
March 2025149
February 202596
January 2025136
December 2024107
November 2024120
October 2024157
September 2024110
August 2024153

A total of 362 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202537
June 202522
May 202529
April 202532
March 202531
February 202531
January 202520
December 202427
November 202429
October 202437
September 202434
August 202433

A total of 55 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.58 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 13 reported cases.

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

A total of 100 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.33 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202516
June 202516
May 202511
April 20254
March 20257
February 20255
January 20255
December 202410
November 20249
October 20246
September 20245
August 20246

A total of 713 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 59.42 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202578
June 202576
May 202559
April 202552
March 202564
February 202546
January 202568
December 202438
November 202460
October 202444
September 202457
August 202471

A total of 3030 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 252.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 395 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025395
June 2025288
May 2025310
April 2025315
March 2025270
February 2025193
January 2025161
December 2024141
November 2024191
October 2024240
September 2024226
August 2024300

High Crime Locations Swale in July 2025

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

1. Prison (Map)
Total31
Violence and sexual offences30
Other crime1
2. Oak Road (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour18
3. Victory Street (Map)
Total17
Criminal damage and arson7
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour4
Robbery1
4. Prison (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences12
Other crime3
Public order2
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total15
Anti-social behaviour9
Shoplifting6
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting10
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.