Canterbury Crime Rate

Canterbury currently records a crime rate of 107.3 per 1,000 people, which is above the UK average of 91.7. Despite this, the area maintains a commendable safety score of 76/100, indicating that it remains a relatively secure place for its 162,100 residents. The most recent data, covering December 2024 to November 2025, shows that crime has increased by 8.4% year-over-year. This upward trend is something for local residents and business owners to monitor, particularly as it coincides with the city's busy tourist and student activities. While the figures are higher than national averages, the safety score suggests that the actual risk to most residents remains manageable, especially outside of the high-traffic city centre.

About Canterbury

Canterbury is a world-renowned historic city in Kent, famous for its cathedral, university, and rich cultural heritage. As a major tourist destination and a vibrant student hub, the area experiences a high volume of transient visitors, which significantly influences its crime statistics. The district also includes coastal towns and rural villages, each with its own distinct safety profile.

The city's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, education, and retail. The presence of three universities brings a large student population, which can contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Similarly, the bustling retail sector and high footfall in the city centre naturally lead to more frequent shoplifting and other theft-related incidents. These urban factors, combined with the city's role as a regional transport hub, mean that Canterbury's crime rate is often higher than that of its more rural neighbours. Understanding Canterbury's safety requires balancing its status as a busy, multi-functional city with its overall high safety score for permanent residents.

Crime in Canterbury

Violence and sexual offences represent the largest category of crime in Canterbury, with 6,050 incidents making up 34.8% of the total. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common report at 15.7%, closely followed by shoplifting at 15.5%. This high percentage of shoplifting is a direct result of the city's busy commercial centre and high tourist footfall.

Property crime in Canterbury is recorded at a rate of 41.6 per 1,000 people. This total includes 411 burglaries, 669 vehicle crimes, and 2,688 shoplifting offences. While burglary itself accounts for only 2.4% of total crime, the overall property crime rate is notably higher than the UK average of 32.3. Criminal damage and arson also contribute significantly, making up 8.4% of all reports. For residents and business owners, these figures highlight the importance of robust security, particularly in the retail and commercial sectors where theft is most prevalent. Protecting homes against the lower but persistent risk of burglary remains a key priority for maintaining long-term safety.

Canterbury Crime Trends

The crime trend in Canterbury is currently increasing, with an 8.4% rise in total offences over the past year. Monthly data reveals a clear seasonal pattern, with the crime rate per 1,000 starting at 7.3 in December 2024 and rising to a peak of 11.0 in July 2025. This significant spike during the summer months is likely tied to the influx of tourists and the associated increase in footfall in the city centre.

Following the summer peak, the rate fluctuated but remained higher than the previous winter's levels, ending at 9.0 in November 2025. This overall upward trajectory suggests that crime prevention remains a critical focus for the area. For residents, being aware of these seasonal spikes can help in taking extra precautions during the busiest times of the year, while local authorities may use this data to better allocate resources during the peak summer months.

Canterbury serves as a major cultural and economic hub for East Kent, and its crime rate reflects this status. When compared to nearby Dover, Thanet, and Swale, Canterbury often shows higher incident volumes, which is typical for a city with such high visitor numbers. It also shares similar urban challenges with other Kent hubs like Ashford and Maidstone. For those looking for a quieter environment, the surrounding rural villages offer much lower crime rates, but for those who value the city's unique heritage and amenities, Canterbury provides a reasonable level of safety compared to other major UK tourist destinations.

Protecting Your Property in Canterbury

With a property crime rate of 41.6 per 1,000 people, Canterbury residents face a higher risk of theft and criminal damage than the national average. In a city with significant transient populations and high footfall, traditional reactive security measures like standard CCTV often fall short. Most property crimes are opportunistic, and by the time a traditional alarm sounds, the intruder may have already caused damage or stolen valuables.

scOS provides a more advanced, proactive approach to home security. By using AI to monitor all cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at the boundary of your property. It can distinguish between a regular visitor and a suspicious individual, allowing it to trigger autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers to deter an intruder before they even attempt a break-in. For Canterbury homeowners, this shift from recording a crime to preventing one is crucial. A visible, intelligent security system acts as a powerful deterrent, signaling to criminals that your property is actively protected. In an area where shoplifting and other thefts are common, securing your private residence with proactive AI ensures that your home remains a safe haven.

How To Keep Safe in Canterbury

The most prevalent crime in Canterbury is violence and sexual offences, often linked to the city's active nightlife and high-density student areas. To stay safe, consider the following localized advice:

1. Stick to Busy Routes: When walking through the city at night, especially near the universities or the city centre, use well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated parks or alleys.
2. Be Mindful of Crowds: In high-footfall tourist areas, stay aware of your belongings to prevent opportunistic theft. Keep wallets and phones in secure, internal pockets.
3. Use Student Safety Resources: If you are a student, make use of university-provided safety apps and late-night transport services designed to get you home securely.
4. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB can be a nuisance in certain parts of the city. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps authorities target their patrols more effectively.
5. Secure Your Student Housing: If living in shared accommodation, ensure all communal doors and windows are locked, as these can sometimes be seen as easy targets for opportunistic burglars.