Swanscombe Crime Rate

Swanscombe Crime Statistics Overview

Swanscombe is a safe and well-established settlement in the Dartford district, currently holding a safety score of 81/100. This score is notably higher than the UK average of 78/100, positioning Swanscombe as a secure residential choice. The overall crime rate is 80.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Recent data shows that the crime trend in Swanscombe is stable, with a minor increase of 2.3% year-over-year. This consistency suggests that the area maintains its safety standards despite the growth of the surrounding region. The following detailed breakdown explores local crime types, temporal patterns, and safety advice to help residents stay informed.

Crime Breakdown in Swanscombe

In Swanscombe, violence and sexual offences represent the most significant portion of reported crime, accounting for 36.2% of all incidents, with a rate of 29.3 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common type at 13.7%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 11.9%. These statistics reflect the primary focus of local law enforcement within the settlement.

For homeowners, the property crime rate is a key metric for assessing residential safety. In Swanscombe, property-related crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—stands at 29.5 per 1,000 people. This is slightly below the UK average of 32.9. Specifically, vehicle crime (8.3% of total) is more than twice as common as burglary (3.5%). The data suggests that while Swanscombe is safer than many urban areas, residents should still prioritise vehicle security and external property protection to mitigate the consistent risk of opportunistic crime.

Crime Trends in Swanscombe

The crime trend in Swanscombe is currently stable, with a minor 2.3% increase in total reported crimes over the last year. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate remained relatively low for the first half of the year, with a dip to 4.3 per 1,000 in February.

However, there was a notable spike during the summer months, with July 2025 reaching a rate of 9.4 per 1,000. Following this peak, the crime rate returned to more typical levels, with September and October recording 6.3 and 6.6 respectively. This pattern of a summer peak is common in many urban settlements and suggests that residents should be particularly vigilant during the warmer months when public activity is higher. Overall, the stable year-over-year trend is a positive indicator of Swanscombe's consistent safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Swanscombe

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Swanscombe. While the overall volume of crime is lower than the UK average, maintaining personal and property safety remains a priority for all residents.

• Vehicle Security is Key: With vehicle crime making up 48% of night-time incidents, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area. Consider using steering locks or Faraday pouches for keyless fobs.
• Stay Alert in Public: When walking in the evening, stick to well-lit routes and remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like using your phone in quieter areas.
• Prevent Property Damage: Criminal damage is a top-three crime. Keep your property's exterior well-maintained and ensure that any gates or fences are securely locked to discourage trespassing.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB accounts for 13.7% of local crime. Reporting these incidents to the local council or police helps prevent small issues from escalating.
• Secure Your Perimeter: Use motion-activated lighting around your home. This simple step can significantly discourage opportunistic criminals who prefer to operate in the dark.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Swanscombe

Crime in Swanscombe follows a distinct daily pattern. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most prominent issue, accounting for 42% and 50% of reported incidents respectively. This suggests that properties and businesses are most vulnerable to opportunistic theft during standard working and shopping hours.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts significantly. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order—make up 49% of activity. Most notably, the night-time period (12am to 6am) sees a major surge in vehicle crime, which accounts for 48% of all incidents during these hours. This clear spike in night-time vehicle crime indicates that cars are significantly more vulnerable overnight, highlighting the need for secure parking and proactive monitoring during the early morning hours.

Nearby Area Comparison

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Swanscombe offers a relatively secure environment. Its crime rate of 80.9 per 1,000 is considerably lower than the nearby developments in Ebbsfleet Valley (123.5) and the urban area of Northfleet (106.1). However, it is slightly more active than the smaller settlements of Stone (60.2) and Bean (78.5). This positioning makes Swanscombe a mid-range area for safety within the Dartford district—offering more urban amenities than the smallest villages while maintaining a significantly safer profile than the high-activity zones nearby. For residents, this balance makes it an attractive and generally secure place to live.

Proactive Protection for Swanscombe Residents

In Swanscombe, where property crime is 29.5 per 1,000 and vehicle crime is a significant night-time threat, traditional security measures like basic CCTV are often insufficient. Most standard cameras simply record footage of a crime while it is happening, which does little to prevent the actual loss or damage to your property. For residents who want real security, a proactive approach is essential.

The scOS AI-powered security system is designed to stop crime at the property line. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify suspicious behaviour—such as someone loitering near your driveway or checking car doors—before they act. Because vehicle crime accounts for 48% of night-time incidents in Swanscombe, scOS's ability to autonomously trigger lights and audio warnings provides a powerful deterrent. By destroying the element of surprise and signaling that your home is professionally protected, scOS makes opportunistic criminals move on, ensuring that your property and vehicles remain safe.