Sandwich Crime Rate

Sandwich is a historic town and commercial centre within the Dover local authority, with an overall crime rate of 112.0 per 1,000 people. While this is higher than the UK average of 93.1, the town has seen a significant 17.0% decrease in crime over the past year, resulting in a safety score of 73/100. The property crime rate in Sandwich is 34.6, which is slightly above the national average of 32.9. As a popular destination with a higher population density than its rural neighbours, Sandwich naturally experiences more urban-style crime, including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. However, the strong downward trend in total incidents suggests that the town is moving toward a safer profile. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the local crime data.

Crime Breakdown in Sandwich

Sandwich experiences a higher volume of crime than many of its rural neighbours, with violence and sexual offences being the most frequent, accounting for 158 crimes or 41.4% of the total. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (14.7%) and criminal damage and arson (8.9%). While these categories define the majority of incidents, property crime remains a significant concern for the community.

The overall property crime rate in Sandwich is 34.6 per 1,000 people, which is slightly above the UK average of 32.9. This category is driven by shoplifting (8.4%), vehicle crime (4.7%), and other theft (4.7%). Burglary accounts for 2.9% of all crimes. The relatively high property crime rate suggests that Sandwich’s status as a commercial and tourist destination makes it a target for opportunist theft and vandalism. For residents and business owners, this means that property security is a critical consideration, as the area faces a higher risk of theft-related offences than more secluded parts of the Dover local authority. protecting assets from both opportunists and more targeted criminal activity is essential for maintaining the town's safety.

Crime Trends in Sandwich

The most significant trend for Sandwich is a 17.0% decrease in total crime over the past year. This is a very positive development for a town with a higher-than-average crime rate. Monthly data reveals some volatility; March 2025 (12.6 per 1,000) and August 2025 (12.0) were the peak months for criminal activity.

Conversely, October 2025 saw the lowest crime rate of the year at 5.0 per 1,000, representing a major drop from the summer peaks. These fluctuations highlight the impact of seasonal tourism and local events on the town's safety profile. While the overall crime rate remains higher than in surrounding villages, the consistent downward trend suggests that Sandwich is becoming safer and that local crime prevention measures are having a tangible impact on the community. For residents, this means the environment is improving, but vigilance remains necessary during peak months.

How To Keep Safe in Sandwich

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Sandwich, followed by anti-social behaviour. In a town with high footfall and commercial activity, staying vigilant is key to personal and property safety.

1. When out in the town centre, especially during peak tourist or shopping hours, keep your personal belongings secure and be wary of pickpockets or opportunist thieves.
2. Given that vehicle crime is exceptionally high at night (42% of night-time reports), ensure your vehicle is parked in a secure, well-lit area and that no valuables are left inside.
3. If you own a business in Sandwich, invest in high-quality shoplifting prevention and staff training, as this is a notable contributor to local crime figures.
4. Secure your home against burglary by ensuring all doors and windows are locked, particularly in the afternoon and early morning hours when these incidents are most likely.
5. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage to the local police; community reporting is essential for effective patrolling and prevention in the town.

Crime Time Patterns in Sandwich

Crime in Sandwich follows a clear cycle linked to the town's daily activity. The morning and afternoon are dominated by theft-related offences, including shoplifting, which account for 35% and 40% of incidents respectively. This suggests that the town's commercial areas are most vulnerable during standard opening hours when footfall is highest.

In the evening (6pm to 12am), the nature of crime shifts toward anti-social behaviour and public order, with 'other' crimes making up 57% of reports. However, the most striking pattern emerges at night (12am to 6am), where vehicle crime accounts for a massive 42% of all reported incidents. Burglary also remains a threat during this time at 14%. This data indicates that while personal safety and retail theft are daytime concerns, the protection of vehicles and residential property becomes the primary security priority during the late-night and early-morning hours.

Sandwich’s crime statistics reflect its status as a primary settlement in the area. It has a higher crime rate than nearby Woodnesborough (46.3) and Cliffs End (75.6), and is significantly more active than the tranquil villages of Worth and Weddington, which both recorded zero crimes. This comparison highlights the difference between a busy town like Sandwich and the surrounding rural communities. While residents of Sandwich face a more active criminal landscape, they also benefit from the town's amenities and the recent, substantial 17% reduction in local crime, which is a more positive trend than many other towns in the region.

In Sandwich, the property crime rate of 34.6 per 1,000 people—above the UK average—makes the choice of security system particularly important. Traditional CCTV and doorbell cameras are often reactive, capturing footage of a theft or burglary only after the intruder has already breached the property. In a busy town like Sandwich, where vehicle crime is a major night-time issue (42% of incidents), you need a system that can intervene before the damage is done.

scOS provides proactive protection by using AI to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it detects threats as they approach, using multi-camera intelligence to identify suspicious behaviour. For example, scOS can recognize a car loitering on your street or a person scouting your driveway and trigger an immediate response—such as activating floodlights or a warning speaker. This autonomous intervention destroys the element of surprise and often deters criminals within 60 seconds. For Sandwich residents, scOS offers the peace of mind that comes from stopping crime at the boundary, rather than just watching it on a screen later.