Swanscombe Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Swanscombe's June 2024 crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents places it 15.9% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This built-up area within Dartford, characterised by a mix of residential and commercial zones, recorded 128 total crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 36.7% of all incidents. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 19.5%, while criminal damage and arson accounted for 12.5%. Seasonal factors appear to influence patterns: as June marks the start of summer, the extended daylight hours and increased foot traffic in local amenities may contribute to the rise in anti-social behaviour. However, the area's relatively low overall crime rate suggests effective community policing or environmental design features that deter crime. The breakdown highlights a stark contrast with the UK average for criminal damage and arson, which is 48% higher than the national figure, indicating localised pressures that may stem from specific incidents or vulnerabilities in certain premises. This data invites further consideration of how seasonal transitions interact with local demographics and infrastructure to shape crime trends.

June 2024 witnessed a dramatic 128.6% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 7 to 16 incidents. This surge, the most significant month-on-month change, may reflect heightened activity during the summer season or targeted vandalism in high-traffic areas. Concurrently, robbery and bicycle theft both doubled, with the latter marking its first recorded incident in the month. These spikes contrast with declines in burglary (-42.9%) and vehicle crime (-37.5%), which could signal improved security measures or reduced opportunities for such offences. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, but they were 9% below the UK average. Conversely, criminal damage and arson significantly outperformed the national rate, suggesting unique local challenges. Residents might find the 42.9% drop in burglary particularly noteworthy, as it aligns with broader UK trends of declining property crimes. The data also reveals a 100% increase in robbery, a category that is 100% above the UK average, highlighting Swanscombe's divergence in violent crime compared to national benchmarks. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted interventions in areas experiencing sharp rises, while the declines in other categories offer potential models for success.

Swanscombe's crime rate rose 3.9% from 6.6 per 1,000 in May to 6.9 per 1,000 in June, reflecting a modest upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day in June, a figure that, while consistent with previous months, remains lower than the UK average when scaled to Swanscombe's population. Over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 146 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average when adjusted for population size. This statistic suggests that, despite the increase in certain categories, the overall risk per resident remains comparatively low. The population context—18,650 residents—means that even a 3.9% rise in the crime rate translates to a manageable number of additional incidents. However, the sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, along with robbery, indicate areas where the rate of change may outpace the general trend. The contrast between Swanscombe's performance and the UK average in specific categories highlights the need for localised analysis, as national figures can mask regional variations. These comparisons provide a nuanced picture of how Swanscombe's crime profile interacts with broader UK patterns, offering both caution and reassurance to residents.