Istead Rise Crime Rate

Istead Rise is an exceptionally safe urban settlement, boasting a high safety score of 92/100. Its overall crime rate is just 40.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. The area is currently seeing an improving safety trend, with recorded crime decreasing by 9.7% year-over-year. This reduction reinforces Istead Rise's reputation as a peaceful and secure residential community within the Gravesham local authority. While anti-social behaviour is the most frequently recorded crime type, the actual volume of incidents remains low relative to the population. This report provides a detailed analysis of local crime statistics, including property crime rates, temporal patterns, and comparisons with neighbouring areas to help residents and visitors understand the local safety landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Istead Rise

Istead Rise is characterised by a crime profile where anti-social behaviour is the most common issue, representing 30.7% of all recorded incidents (43 crimes). This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 15.7% and shoplifting at 10.7%. These figures indicate that while serious personal crime is relatively infrequent, community-level disturbances and retail-related theft are more prominent in the local statistics.

The overall property crime rate—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—is 17.2 per 1,000 residents. This is remarkably low compared to the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, burglary accounts for 12 incidents (8.6% of total crime), while vehicle crime and criminal damage both recorded 11 incidents each. For homeowners, this low property crime rate is a strong indicator of safety, but the presence of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour suggests that commercial areas and public spaces are where most activity occurs. Residents should focus on standard home security to maintain these low burglary figures, particularly as vehicle crime and burglary show specific temporal peaks at night and in the afternoon respectively.

Crime Trends in Istead Rise

Istead Rise is on a positive trajectory, with total crime decreasing by 9.7% over the last year. This downward trend indicates that the area is maintaining its status as one of the safest parts of Kent. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows that crime rates were relatively stable throughout much of the year, typically hovering between 2.3 and 2.9 crimes per 1,000 people.

There were, however, two notable peaks in activity: February 2025 saw a rate of 5.0, and July 2025 recorded the year's high of 6.1. These spikes were temporary, with the rate quickly returning to its lower baseline in the following months. The fact that the overall year-over-year change is negative despite these peaks is a strong indicator of the area's underlying security. For residents, this means that while occasional fluctuations occur, the long-term trend is one of improvement. The consistently high safety score of 92/100 further confirms that Istead Rise remains a very secure community with a decreasing crime profile.

How To Keep Safe in Istead Rise

The most common crime in Istead Rise is anti-social behaviour, accounting for 30.7% of incidents. While the area is very safe, taking proactive steps can help maintain this low-crime environment and protect your personal property.

1. Join a Neighbourhood Watch: Istead Rise has a strong community spirit. Joining or starting a local watch scheme is the most effective way to report anti-social behaviour and keep the community informed of any suspicious activity.
2. Secure Your Vehicles: Since 37% of vehicle crime occurs at night, always park in a garage if available, or use a well-lit driveway. Ensure no valuables are left on display, even for short periods.
3. Daytime Home Security: With 37% of burglaries occurring in the afternoon, ensure your home looks occupied even when you are out. Use timer switches for lights and ensure all windows and doors are double-locked.
4. Report Shoplifting and Suspicious Activity: If you notice unusual behaviour near local shops, report it. Shoplifting is the third most common crime here, and community vigilance helps local businesses stay secure.
5. Perimeter Deterrents: Use gravel paths and motion-activated lighting around your property. These simple physical deterrents make it much harder for someone to approach your home unnoticed, reducing the risk of anti-social behaviour on your doorstep.

Time Patterns of Crime in Istead Rise

Crime in Istead Rise follows specific temporal trends that are important for residents to understand. Burglary is most frequently recorded during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), which accounts for 37% of all burglary incidents. This pattern suggests that intruders often target homes during the day when they believe residents are at work. In contrast, vehicle crime is most common during the night-time hours (12am - 6am), also accounting for 37% of its total incidents.

Theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are most prevalent during the morning (33%) and afternoon (34%), coinciding with the opening hours of local businesses. Overall crime intensity tends to peak in the late afternoon and early evening. Monthly data shows that July 2025 was the most active month for crime, with a rate of 6.1 per 1,000, while the winter months of November and December saw much lower activity. By understanding that burglary is a daytime risk and vehicle crime is a night-time risk, residents can better tailor their security habits to match the local reality.

Istead Rise is a standout performer for safety in the Gravesham area. When compared to nearby settlements, its crime rate of 40.9 per 1,000 is lower than Southfleet (46.3), Sole Street (59.6), and the combined area of Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley (62.9). Most notably, it is significantly safer than the nearby urban centre of Gravesend, which has a much higher crime rate of 117.3. This comparison highlights Istead Rise as a premier choice for those seeking a low-crime residential environment while remaining close to regional amenities. The area's consistent downward trend in crime further distinguishes it from some of its neighbours, making it one of the most stable and secure locations in the local authority.

With a property crime rate of 17.2 per 1,000, Istead Rise is statistically very safe, yet the 12 burglaries and 11 vehicle crimes recorded last year show that opportunistic theft still occurs. Traditional security cameras often provide a false sense of security; they record the crime but do nothing to stop it. For residents in a high-safety area like Istead Rise, the goal is to prevent the crime from ever happening.

The scOS AI-powered security system is built for prevention. Unlike DIY cameras, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your entire property simultaneously. It can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder at your boundary. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously engage deterrents like lights and speakers, stopping a burglar in their tracks before they even attempt to enter. In an area where 37% of burglaries happen in the afternoon and 37% of vehicle crimes happen at night, having a system that works proactively 24/7 is the most effective way to ensure your home doesn't become a statistic. scOS turns your home into a hard target, encouraging criminals to simply move on.