Chartham Crime Rate

Chartham is a highly secure residential area, with an excellent safety score of 86/100. Its overall crime rate is 53.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. The crime trend in Chartham has seen a 12.1% increase year-over-year, indicating a slight rise in local activity for the population of 2,455. Despite this minor upward shift, the area remains exceptionally safe, particularly regarding property crime, which is less than a third of the national average. Understanding the local distribution of crime types and their timing can help residents maintain this high standard of security. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime categories, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to keep the community informed.

In Chartham, violence and sexual offences are the most significant crime category, accounting for 50.8% of all reports, at a rate of 26.9 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common concern at 17.7%, followed by 'other theft' at 7.7%.

Property-related crime—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a combined rate of 9.8 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low, representing less than a third of the UK average of 32.2. Within this category, 'other theft' and criminal damage are the main contributors, while vehicle crime accounts for 3.9% of total crime. Notably, there were no reported burglaries in the latest data period. For residents and homeowners, this data indicates that while interpersonal offences and social disturbances are the most frequent issues, the risk of serious property crime is minimal. The absence of burglary is a very positive indicator for residential security. However, the high percentage of violence and anti-social behaviour suggests that these are the primary community safety concerns that residents should be aware of.

The crime trend in Chartham has seen a 12.1% increase in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows some fluctuations throughout the year, with notable peaks in August (6.5) and October (5.3).

Other active months included November (6.1) and March (5.3). The year began with a rate of 3.3 in January and ended with a rate of 3.7 in December. This overall upward trend, while starting from a low base, suggests that the village is seeing slightly more frequent criminal activity than in previous years. For residents, this means that while the area remains very safe compared to national averages, there is a need for continued vigilance. The fluctuating monthly figures indicate that crime in Chartham occurs in clusters rather than at a constant rate throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Chartham

The most common crime in Chartham is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and 'other theft'. Maintaining safety in the village involves a mix of personal awareness and proactive property security.

1. Focus on Night-time Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 48% of night-time incidents. Always park in well-lit, secure areas and ensure your vehicle is fully locked with no valuables inside.
2. Daytime Vigilance: Theft is most common during the morning and afternoon. Ensure that outbuildings, sheds, and vehicles are locked even when you are at home during the day.
3. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB being a top concern, ensuring your property has clear boundaries and motion-activated lighting can discourage loitering and opportunistic damage.
4. Utilise Community Watch: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch groups is effective for identifying and reporting suspicious activity or repeat anti-social behaviour offenders.
5. Install Boundary Security: Use AI-powered cameras to create a secure perimeter around your home, deterring the criminal damage and 'other theft' incidents that occur locally.

Chartham exhibits clear crime timings. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 57% and 68% of all crimes respectively. This suggests that the area is particularly vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard business hours when residents may be away or active on their properties.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and violence, become the most prominent, accounting for 53% of reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift in the type of risk, with vehicle crime peaking at a substantial 48% of all incidents. Notably, there were no reported burglaries during any time period. These patterns indicate that while daytime risk is focused on theft, the late-night hours present the greatest risk for vehicle security. Residents should tailor their security habits to these cycles, focusing on theft during the day and vehicle security at night.

In the local regional context, Chartham offers a peaceful and secure alternative to the busier urban centres nearby. When compared to Upper Harbledown, which has a lower crime rate of 40.5 per 1,000, Chartham is slightly more active. It also compares favourably to nearby Old Wives Lees (57.5) and is significantly safer than urban Canterbury. Other nearby areas like Chilham and Lower Hardres report zero crimes, highlighting the difference between the more populated urban settlements and their very quiet rural surroundings. For those looking for a safe, residential environment within the Canterbury district, Chartham provides a safety profile that is among the best in the region.

With an exceptionally low property crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents, Chartham is one of the safest places to own a home. However, the presence of anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and criminal damage (6.9%) suggests that properties can still be targets for opportunistic incidents. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you while a crime is happening or provide footage after the event. In a quiet residential setting, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS (Security Operating System) uses advanced AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, identifying threats at the property boundary. In Chartham, where vehicle crime peaks at a substantial 48% during the night, scOS's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can stop a criminal in their tracks. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a statistic in the area's property crime figures.