Canterbury Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Canterbury during November 2025, 9 crimes were recorded — a rate 23.3% higher than the UK average of 7.3 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime for every 111 residents over the course of the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.1% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.7%) and shoplifting (13.3%). These figures align with Canterbury’s character as a historic city with a mix of tourist attractions, retail hubs, and residential areas. The spike in violence and sexual offences may partly reflect the impact of seasonal factors: Bonfire Night events and the start of the festive shopping period likely increased foot traffic in public spaces, creating opportunities for such crimes. Similarly, shoplifting rates were 90% above the UK average, consistent with the presence of high-street retail areas and the Black Friday shopping surge. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, potentially linked to the combination of colder evenings and the city’s compact, densely populated neighbourhoods. While these patterns are not unique to Canterbury, the local context of tourism, retail activity, and urban density appears to amplify the risk of these specific crime types compared to other parts of the UK.

November 2025 saw notable shifts in Canterbury’s crime profile. Violence and sexual offences increased by 16.1% compared to the previous month, reaching 542 incidents — 28% above the UK average for this category. This surge may be linked to the concentrated nature of Canterbury’s nightlife and the timing of Bonfire Night events, which often draw crowds to the city centre. Concurrently, other theft rose by 17.3% (from 104 to 122 cases), likely driven by the Black Friday shopping rush and the proximity of major retail outlets. In contrast, theft from the person dropped by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 cases), possibly reflecting heightened police presence or increased use of secure storage during the festive season. Burglary also fell sharply by 43.2% (from 44 to 25 cases), suggesting that seasonal changes in household activity — such as shorter daylight hours and fewer visitors — may have contributed to a reduction in property-related crimes. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained high, with 195 incidents recorded — 90% above the UK average. This disparity underscores the unique pressures faced by Canterbury’s retail sector during peak shopping periods, despite broader national trends.

Canterbury’s crime rate in November 2025 (9.0 per 1,000 residents) was nearly stable compared to the previous month’s rate of 9.1 per 1,000 — a 0.9% decrease. However, this slight decline contrasts with the city’s overall position relative to the UK average, where Canterbury remains 23.3% above the national rate. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 49 crimes per day — a figure that, while not inherently alarming, highlights the persistent presence of criminal activity in a relatively small local authority. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 111 residents illustrates the tangible impact of crime on everyday life. This statistic is particularly relevant for residents, as it provides a concrete measure of risk: over the course of the month, the likelihood of experiencing or witnessing a crime was roughly 0.9% (1 in 111). This perspective is crucial for understanding how Canterbury’s crime rate, though stable month-on-month, continues to exceed national benchmarks. The city’s higher-than-average rates for violence, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting further emphasize the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, while its lower rates for burglary and public order offences suggest that certain crime prevention strategies may be working effectively.