Crime Statistics

Swanscombe Crime Rate

+3.9%year-over-year

Crime is stable and MODERATE in Swanscombe

Swanscombe's crime rate is 81.7 per 1,000 residents, with a strong safety score of 81/100. Access detailed crime statistics and local safety information.

Overall Crime Rate

81.7
Crimes per 1,000 people
stable trend

Property Crime Rate

29.3
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Swanscombe Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:81.7vs 93.4 UK avg
-11.7 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:29.3vs 33.2 UK avg
-3.9 per 1,000 people

Swanscombe's crime rate is significantly lower than UK average

Based on population of 18,650 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Swanscombe

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Swanscombe
Overall Crime Rate81.7 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate29.3 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score81 out of 100
Population18,650
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Swanscombe
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences57230.738%
Anti-social behaviour20110.813%
Criminal damage and arson1769.412%
Other theft1266.88%
Vehicle crime1196.48%
Drugs733.95%
Public order613.34%
Other crime593.24%
Burglary583.14%
Shoplifting482.63%
Theft from the person120.61%
Possession of weapons100.51%
Robbery60.30%
Bicycle theft20.10%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Swanscombe BUA

Swanscombe, a Built-up Area with a population of 18,650, reports an overall crime rate of 81.7 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure is notably lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 81 out of 100, which surpasses the UK average safety score of 78/100. Over the past year, crime trends in Swanscombe have remained stable, with a slight increase of 3.9% year-over-year. This section offers a comprehensive look into the crime data and safety profile of Swanscombe.

Swanscombe Safety Score

81
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Swanscombe has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Most Common Crimes in Swanscombe

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:38%
Per 1,000:30.7
Total:572
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:13%
Per 1,000:10.8
Total:201
#3

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:12%
Per 1,000:9.4
Total:176
#4

Other theft

Percentage:8%
Per 1,000:6.8
Total:126
#5

Vehicle crime

Percentage:8%
Per 1,000:6.4
Total:119

Protect Against These Threats

scOS security systems are designed to detect and deter the most common crimes in your area, providing 24/7 autonomous protection.

Protect Against These Threats

Crime Type Analysis in Swanscombe BUA

An examination of crime in Swanscombe BUA highlights Violence and sexual offences as the most frequent category, constituting 37.6% of all crimes at a rate of 30.7 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, making up 13.2% of incidents with a ratef 10.8 per 1,000. Criminal damage and arson ranks third, accounting for 11.6% of crimes at 9.4 per 1,000. The overall property crime rate in Swanscombe BUA is 29.3 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. Key contributors to this category include other theft (6.8 per 1,000), vehicle crime (6.4 per 1,000), and burglary (3.1 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest that while property crime is present, it is less prevalent than the national average, yet maintaining robust security remains a sensible precaution.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
572 incidents (30.7 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
201 incidents (10.8 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
176 incidents (9.4 per 1,000)
Other theft
126 incidents (6.8 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
119 incidents (6.4 per 1,000)
Drugs
73 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Public order
61 incidents (3.3 per 1,000)
Other crime
59 incidents (3.2 per 1,000)
Burglary
58 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
48 incidents (2.6 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
12 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
10 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
6 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
2 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

14.9% change(over 12 months)
Swanscombe
UK Average

Compare Swanscombe with similar populations

Swanscombe has a 12.5% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Swanscombe BUA

Swanscombe BUA has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with an increase of 3.9% year-over-year. Reviewing the monthly crime rate data (per 1,000 residents) shows some fluctuations. From October 2024 to February 2025, rates varied between 4.3 and 7.4, with February recording the lowest at 4.3. Following this, March and April 2025 saw rates of 6.7 and 6.8 respectively. May 2025 continued this stability at 6.9, with a slight dip in June (6.1). July 2025 marked the highest rate at 9.4 per 1,000, before settling to 6.3 in September 2025. This stable trend, with a slight upward movement, suggests that residents should remain aware of local crime patterns.

When Do Crimes Happen in Swanscombe?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Swanscombe's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Tuesday
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Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Swanscombe?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Theft43%
Other30%
Vehicle Crime20%
Burglary7%
Violence0%

Morning hours are dominated by theft and vehicle crime, targeting commuters and businesses.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft50%
Other28%
Burglary14%
Vehicle Crime8%
Violence0%

Afternoon sees elevated theft and burglary, often when properties are left unoccupied.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other49%
Vehicle Crime20%
Theft19%
Burglary12%
Violence0%

Evening crime shifts to 'Other' offences and vehicle crime, alongside social activities.

Night

12am - 6am

Vehicle Crime47%
Other31%
Burglary13%
Theft9%
Violence0%

Night experiences significant vehicle crime and burglary, occurring under the cover of darkness.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Swanscombe's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Swanscombe, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Swanscombe BUA

Crime activity in Swanscombe BUA exhibits clear temporal patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a high proportion of theft (43%) and vehicle crime (20%), likely linked to daily routines and unattended vehicles. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees an even greater concentration of theft (50%) and burglary (14%), suggesting opportunistic crimes targeting properties during working hours. In the evening (6pm-12am), there's a shift towards "Other" crimes (49%) and vehicle crime (20%), while theft drops to 19%. This period often aligns with increased social activity. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the most dominant offence (47%), closely followed by "Other" crimes (31%) and burglary (13%), indicating a heightened risk for vehicles and properties when residents are typically asleep.

Police Response Times in Swanscombe

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

19 minActual
Actual
19 min
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min
4 min slower than target

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

1h 41mActual
Actual
1h 41m
Target
1h
UK Average
1h
41 min slower than target

Active Officers

4,168

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

2024 data
Mean response times
Source: FOI Request

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Swanscombe BUA with its neighbouring built-up areas, a nuanced picture of regional safety emerges. Swanscombe's overall crime rate of 81.7 per 1,000 residents is generally lower than nearby Ebbsfleet Valley, which often experiences higher rates due to its developing infrastructure and transport links. Compared to Stone (Dartford) and Bean, Swanscombe typically maintains a similar or slightly lower crime profile, reflecting a generally stable residential environment. Northfleet, another adjacent area, offers further context, with its own unique blend of residential and industrial characteristics influencing its crime statistics. This comparison provides valuable insight into Swanscombe's relative safety within the local Dartford district.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

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Property line intervention

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Learns Your Patterns

Recognizes family, delivery times, normal routines. Only alerts you to real threats.

Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

  • Records crime as it happens
  • Motion alerts for every shadow, leaf, or car passing by
  • You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • Hope police can use the footage

scOS Intelligence

  • Stops threats before they reach your door
  • Intelligent motion alerts — only notifies you of real threats
  • Lights and speakers respond autonomously
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Protecting Your Property in Swanscombe BUA

With Swanscombe BUA's property crime rate of 29.3 per 1,000 residents being lower than the UK average, it suggests a relatively safer environment, but proactive security remains crucial. Relying on traditional CCTV only provides recordings after a break-in, offering little in terms of actual prevention. For effective protection, consider advanced solutions like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system. scOS differentiates itself by preventing crime before it happens, detecting threats at your property boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive coverage, while features like DVLA vehicle verification can help identify suspicious vehicles instantly. By learning your routines, it filters out false alarms, activating lights and speakers to deter intruders. This autonomous response is designed to destroy the element of surprise within the critical 60-second window burglars use to decide, making them reconsider targeting your property.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Swanscombe

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Swanscombe. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.ukCrime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National StatisticsPopulation statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home OfficeNationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI RequestsAdditional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.