Swale Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Swale, the crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 in June 2024 translates to a tangible risk: one in every 117 people in the area experienced a reported crime during the month. This rate, 3.7% above the UK average, reflects a local profile shaped by both urban and rural dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 38.8% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.3 per 1,000 that is 20% higher than the national average. This concentration may be linked to the area's mix of coastal tourism and commuter communities, where interactions between transient and local populations can heighten tensions. Anti-social behaviour follows at 17.8%, 7% above the UK average, potentially driven by increased social activity during the summer season. In contrast, public order offences fall significantly below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or lower incidence of disruptive behaviour in public spaces. The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer—likely contributes to these patterns, with tourism beginning to influence crime dynamics in coastal areas. While the overall rate remains within a manageable range, the above-average rates for violent crime and anti-social behaviour indicate areas for targeted intervention.

June 2024 saw a sharp 83.3% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 18 to 33 incidents. This spike, while significant, remains below the UK average for this category. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by two-thirds, from 3 to 1, likely reflecting reduced foot traffic during the early summer months. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast: violence and sexual offences dominate at 38.8% of all crimes, 20% above the UK average, while public order offences fell 34% below the national benchmark. These shifts suggest a combination of seasonal tourism and localised tensions. Residents may find the 13.8% decrease in vehicle crime (from 62 to 51) particularly relevant, as it indicates improved security measures in car parks and residential areas.

Swale's crime rate in June 2024 fell by 17.1% compared to May's 10.3 per 1,000, marking a notable decline. This reduction aligns with the localised impact of summer holidays, which may have drawn visitors away from high-risk areas. On a daily basis, Swale recorded an average of 45 crimes per day in June, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 117 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, illustrating that while crime remains a concern, its frequency is not extreme. The population context further clarifies this: with 158,379 residents, the rate is distributed across a large area, diluting the impact of concentrated incidents. This contrast with the previous month highlights the fluctuating nature of crime patterns, influenced by seasonal shifts and community activity levels.