Swale Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Swale’s crime profile in November 2024 reveals a stark imbalance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly 37% of all reported incidents. This dominance of violent crime—5.3% above the UK average—suggests a unique dynamic in the district compared to the national trend, where property crimes typically outweigh violent offences. The presence of high levels of anti-social behaviour (15.1% of total crimes) and shoplifting (10.5%) may be influenced by Swale’s mix of urban centres and rural areas, where social interactions in public spaces and retail hubs create fertile ground for such incidents. Seasonal factors, including the approach of Bonfire Night and the tail end of Black Friday shopping, likely contributed to the elevated rates of public order offences and shoplifting, though the latter’s 16% above-UK-average figure indicates a persistent challenge. Meanwhile, the 40% above-UK-average rate for criminal damage and arson could point to targeted issues in specific parts of the district, such as areas with high concentrations of vacant properties or industrial sites. The relatively low rates of bicycle theft (100% below UK average) and theft from the person (100% below UK average) may reflect the district’s limited tourism infrastructure compared to coastal or city destinations, though the sharp drop in theft from the person could also be attributed to increased use of personal security measures. Overall, the crime mix in Swale during November 2024 highlights the interplay between local demographics, geography, and seasonal events, with violent crime and anti-social behaviour emerging as critical areas for further analysis.

November 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with robbery increasing by 50.0% (from 6 to 9 incidents) and public order offences rising by 38.6% (from 44 to 61). These increases may be linked to the timing of Bonfire Night, which falls in November and often sees spikes in anti-social behaviour. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 69.2% (from 13 to 4), potentially reflecting reduced pedestrian traffic during darker evenings. Shoplifting remained a persistent issue, with 133 incidents reported—16% above the UK average—and criminal damage and arson decreasing by 23.6% (from 157 to 120), due to increased community policing efforts or seasonal changes in property usage. Violent crimes (37.1% of all incidents) far outpaced property crimes (31.5%), a mix that contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences highlights the need for heightened vigilance during large gatherings or events in the area.

Swale's crime rate in November 2024 (8.0 per 1,000 residents) represents an 11.7% decrease from the previous month's 9.1 per 1,000, marking a notable shift in local crime patterns. This decline aligns with the transition from late autumn to winter, a period when some seasonal activities—like Black Friday shopping—wind down, potentially reducing opportunities for retail-related crimes. Over the course of November, 1269 total crimes were reported, translating to approximately 42 crimes per day. This daily figure provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur in the district, though it does not account for variations in population density across Swale’s urban and rural areas. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of criminal activity relative to the district’s population of 158,379. While this rate is 5.3% above the UK average, the month-on-month reduction suggests a temporary moderation in crime levels, possibly influenced by local initiatives or seasonal factors such as shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor activity.