Crime Statistics

Swanley Crime Rate

-15.3%year-over-year

Crime is decreasing and MODERATE in Swanley

Swanley's crime rate is 87.9 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 80/100. Explore detailed crime statistics for Swanley.

Overall Crime Rate

87.9
Crimes per 1,000 people
decreasing trend

Property Crime Rate

27.8
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Swanley Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:87.9vs 93.4 UK avg
-5.5 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:27.8vs 33.2 UK avg
-5.4 per 1,000 people

Swanley's crime rate is lower than UK average

Based on population of 17,881 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Swanley

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Swanley
Overall Crime Rate87.9 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate27.8 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score80 out of 100
Population17,881
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonlower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Swanley
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences58432.737%
Anti-social behaviour29616.619%
Criminal damage and arson1397.89%
Shoplifting1156.47%
Other theft1025.76%
Vehicle crime834.65%
Public order794.45%
Other crime563.14%
Drugs563.14%
Burglary432.43%
Robbery60.30%
Theft from the person50.30%
Bicycle theft40.20%
Possession of weapons40.20%

Introduction to Crime in Swanley

Swanley, a built-up area with a population of 17,881, has an overall crime rate of 87.9 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. While this is slightly below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, it positions Swanley with a safety score of 80 out of 100, which is above the UK average of 78. Encouragingly, the area has seen a positive change in its safety profile, with overall crime decreasing by a significant 15.3% year-over-year. These figures offer a factual overview of the current crime landscape in Swanley, indicating a community that is generally safer than the national benchmark and actively improving.

Swanley Safety Score

80
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Swanley 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 Swanley

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:37%
Per 1,000:32.7
Total:584
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:19%
Per 1,000:16.6
Total:296
#3

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:9%
Per 1,000:7.8
Total:139
#4

Shoplifting

Percentage:7%
Per 1,000:6.4
Total:115
#5

Other theft

Percentage:6%
Per 1,000:5.7
Total:102

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 Swanley

An analysis of crime types in Swanley reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 37.1% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 32.7 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, making up 18.8% of incidents (16.6 per 1,000), followed by Criminal damage and arson at 8.8% (7.8 per 1,000). When focusing on property-related crime, Swanley's rate is 27.8 per 1,000 people per year, which is below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes Shoplifting (7.3%), Other theft (6.5%), Vehicle crime (5.3%), Burglary (2.7%), Robbery (0.4%), Theft from the person (0.3%), and Bicycle theft (0.2%), in addition to Criminal damage and arson (8.8%). For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest that while overall property crime is lower than the national average, awareness of vehicle crime and general theft remains important. The high proportion of Violence and sexual offences indicates a need for personal safety awareness.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
584 incidents (32.7 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
296 incidents (16.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
139 incidents (7.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
115 incidents (6.4 per 1,000)
Other theft
102 incidents (5.7 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
83 incidents (4.6 per 1,000)
Public order
79 incidents (4.4 per 1,000)
Other crime
56 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Drugs
56 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Burglary
43 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Robbery
6 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
5 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
4 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
4 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

19% change(over 12 months)
Swanley
UK Average

Compare Swanley with similar populations

Swanley has a 5.9% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Swanley

Swanley has experienced a significant and positive shift in its crime trends, with a substantial decrease of 15.3% in overall crime year-over-year. This notable reduction underscores successful efforts in enhancing local safety. Reviewing the monthly trend data, crime rates have shown some fluctuation. For instance, January 2025 saw a rate of 7.3 per 1,000, while July 2025 peaked at 9.3 per 1,000, potentially due to seasonal factors or increased activity during warmer months. Conversely, December 2024 recorded a lower rate of 6.0 per 1,000. Despite these monthly variations, the overarching trend is clearly one of improvement, providing residents with confidence in the ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance safety within Swanley.

When Do Crimes Happen in Swanley?

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 Swanley'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 Swanley?

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%
Other31%
Vehicle Crime17%
Burglary7%
Violence0%

Morning hours are characterised by higher theft and vehicle crime, often related to commuting.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft50%
Other31%
Burglary13%
Vehicle Crime7%
Violence0%

Afternoon hours see theft peak, likely linked to increased commercial and pedestrian activity.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other52%
Theft18%
Vehicle Crime18%
Burglary11%
Violence0%

Evening experiences a diverse crime pattern, with 'Other' crimes becoming most prevalent.

Night

12am - 6am

Vehicle Crime43%
Other35%
Burglary13%
Theft8%
Violence0%

Night-time is dominated by vehicle crime and 'Other' crimes, suggesting overnight vulnerability.

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 Swanley's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Swanley, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Swanley

Examining the hourly distribution of crime in Swanley provides important insights into local safety. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft (43%) and vehicle crime (17%) are prominent, suggesting activity related to commuting and businesses opening. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft peak at 50%, likely due to increased foot traffic in commercial areas. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'Other' crime types become the most significant category (52%), alongside vehicle crime (18%) and burglary (11%), indicating a broader range of incidents as residential areas become more active. Night-time (12am-6am) is dominated by vehicle crime at 43%, with a notable 35% attributed to 'Other' crimes and 13% to burglary. This pattern underscores that vehicles and properties are particularly vulnerable overnight when residential areas are quieter and less monitored. Understanding these temporal trends can help residents in Swanley implement more targeted security strategies.

Police Response Times in Swanley

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 Built-Up Areas

To provide a clearer picture of safety in Swanley, it's useful to compare its crime statistics with those of neighbouring built-up areas. Swanley, with an overall crime rate of 87.9 per 1,000 residents, has a higher rate than some of its immediate neighbours like Hextable (42.9 per 1,000) and Crockenhill (46.3 per 1,000). However, it is also important to consider Swanley Village and Joyden's Wood for a comprehensive regional context. This comparison highlights that while Swanley's crime rate is below the national average and improving, it is somewhat higher than its more residential adjacent communities, likely due to its role as a more central hub with associated commercial and transport activities.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

Traditional systems watch crime happen. scOS stops it from happening.

Sees Everything At Once

AI watches all cameras simultaneously. Never blinks. Never looks away. Impossible to sneak past.

Property line intervention

Knows Every Vehicle

DVLA verification catches fake plates instantly. Suspicious car? You know before they park.

Stop them early

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
  • They turn away before you even know

What used to be impossible is now effortless.

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Protecting Your Property in Swanley

Given Swanley's property crime rate of 27.8 per 1,000 residents, adopting proactive security measures for your home and belongings is a wise decision. Conventional security systems often only record events after a crime has been committed, meaning you're left with footage rather than prevention. This limitation is addressed by advanced AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS. Designed for proactive protection, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, stopping criminals before they can gain entry. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly. By learning your routines, scOS intelligently filters out false alarms, focusing on real threats. When a threat is detected, scOS can trigger an autonomous response, using lights and speakers to deter intruders, effectively destroying their element of surprise within seconds. For residents of Swanley seeking to actively prevent property crime, scOS provides a professional-grade solution that goes beyond mere recording, offering true peace of mind through real-time intervention.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Swanley

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 Swanley. 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.