Minster (Swale) Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Minster (Swale)’s crime profile in February 2026, accounting for 42.1% of all reported incidents. This category, with a rate of 2.1 per 1,000, remained 9% below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000, highlighting a consistent trend in the area’s lower violent crime levels. Anti-social behaviour followed, contributing 24.2% of total crimes, though this rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 32% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect the area’s built-up character, where higher population density can amplify incidents of disorder. Criminal damage and arson also rose above the UK average, with a 30% increase to 0.6 per 1,000 compared to the national 0.5 per 1,000. These figures suggest that local factors—such as community engagement or environmental design—may influence crime patterns. The overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000, 21.9% below the UK average, underscores Minster’s relative safety. Seasonal context further shapes this picture: February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain crimes, though it could also amplify indoor disputes or anti-social behaviour. The interplay of these elements—community dynamics, seasonal rhythms, and local infrastructure—paints a nuanced picture of Minster’s crime profile.

February 2026 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with shoplifting surging by 300% as four incidents were reported compared to one in January. This sharp increase, though still below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, may partly reflect seasonal shifts in retail activity or targeted theft patterns. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 85.7%, from seven to one incident, a decline that could indicate improved security measures or reduced parking congestion during colder months. Drug-related offences also fell by 57.1%, from seven to three, though this remains 13% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, however, rose 32% above the UK average, with 23 incidents reported. This category’s prominence may be linked to the built-up nature of the area, where community density can amplify such incidents. Violent crimes remained 9% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing or social cohesion—may temper more severe offences despite the winter lull.

Minster (Swale) recorded a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, marking an 11.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of a winter lull, when outdoor activity typically wanes. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 201 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a local metric that reflects the built-up nature of the area within Swale. When compared to the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, Minster remains significantly safer, with a 21.9% reduction in crime rate. The population of 19,098 further scales this context, ensuring that the rate is measured relative to the community’s size. These figures suggest that local factors, such as community engagement or environmental design, may contribute to the sustained lower crime levels despite the seasonal challenges of winter.