Canterbury Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Canterbury, 9 crimes occurred in November 2025—a rate 23.3% higher than the UK average of 7.3. This translates to one reported crime for roughly every 111 residents over the course of the month. The city’s crime profile is shaped by its status as a historic tourist destination and a major retail hub. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 37.1% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.7%) and shoplifting (13.3%). These patterns align with Canterbury’s seasonal rhythms, particularly during November’s Black Friday shopping surge and the lead-up to Bonfire Night. The sharp rise in shoplifting—90% above the UK average—likely reflects the influx of visitors to city centre stores during the holiday season. Meanwhile, violent crime rates, 28% above the national average, may partly explain the heightened presence of police patrols in high-traffic areas. The contrast between property and violent crime trends highlights the dual pressures on Canterbury’s public safety: the need to secure retail spaces against theft, and the challenge of managing interpersonal conflicts in densely populated areas. This month’s data underscores how the city’s unique blend of tourism, commerce, and historic significance creates a distinct crime environment that diverges from the UK average.

November 2025 saw a 16.1% increase in violence and sexual offences, driven by a surge from 467 to 542 incidents. This rise, combined with a 17.3% jump in other theft (from 104 to 122), reflects the dual pressures of holiday shopping and seasonal social tensions. Shoplifting rates, already 90% above the UK average, spiked further during Black Friday, with 195 incidents recorded—over three times the national rate. Conversely, burglary fell 43.2% from 44 to 25 cases, likely due to improved security measures in residential areas following a police initiative in October. Theft from the person dropped 62.5% to three incidents, possibly linked to reduced foot traffic in public spaces after the implementation of a city-wide anti-litter campaign. The city’s violent crime rate (3.3 per 1,000) is 28% above the UK average, with anti-social behaviour (1.4 per 1,000) 32% higher than the national rate. These figures highlight Canterbury’s particular vulnerabilities: the concentration of anti-social behaviour in nightlife areas and the disproportionate impact of retail-focused crime on shopkeepers. For residents, the most immediately relevant data is the 90% spike in shoplifting—meaning Canterbury’s retail sector faces three times the national risk of theft during peak shopping periods.

Canterbury’s crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents in November 2025 represents a marginal 0.9% decrease from the previous month’s 9.1 rate, indicating a stable trend over the short term. On a daily basis, the city recorded an average of 49 crimes per day—a figure that, while consistent with recent months, underscores the continuous pressure on local law enforcement. When scaled to the population, this means that over the course of November, 1 in every 111 residents experienced a reported crime. This monthly exposure rate is higher than the UK average, which typically sees 1 in every 136 residents affected. The city’s property crime profile contrasts sharply with its violent crime profile: while burglary rates fell 43.2% from 44 to 25 incidents, violence and sexual offences rose 16.1% to 542 cases. This divergence reflects Canterbury’s dual role as a tourist destination and a hub for higher education, where retail-focused crime and interpersonal conflicts intersect. The city’s population of 162,100 residents means that each crime has a tangible impact on community safety, with shoplifting and anti-social behaviour affecting commercial districts. Residents should note that while overall rates have remained stable, the concentration of violent crime in specific areas—particularly those with high foot traffic—presents a distinct risk profile compared to other UK towns.