Queenborough Crime Rate

Queenborough has a safety score of 62/100, which is below the UK average of 79. The area's overall crime rate is high at 176.5 per 1,000 people, significantly exceeding the national average of 91.7. This high rate is largely driven by a significant volume of shoplifting and retail-related offences. However, there is a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 6.7% over the last 12 months. While the statistics may seem high, understanding the breakdown between commercial and residential crime is key for residents. This report provides a detailed analysis of Queenborough's safety landscape, including top crime types and temporal patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Queenborough

Queenborough's crime profile is significantly influenced by violence and sexual offences, which account for 189 incidents, or 30.3% of all reported crime. Shoplifting is the second most common offence at 21.1%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.5%. The high rate of shoplifting is a defining characteristic of the local data, reflecting the concentration of retail activity in the area.

Property-related crime—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, shoplifting, and vehicle crime—is high in Queenborough, with a rate of 84.0 per 1,000 people. This is more than double the UK average of 32.3. Burglary accounts for 4.2% of total crime, while vehicle crime makes up 3.5%. For residents and business owners, these figures indicate a high risk of property-based offences. The prevalence of criminal damage (9.8%) and other theft (7.5%) further underscores the need for robust security measures. In this environment, protecting both commercial premises and residential homes from opportunistic theft is a primary concern for the community.

Crime Trends in Queenborough

The latest data for Queenborough shows a 6.7% decrease in total crime compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals that the year began with a high crime rate of 18.7 per 1,000 in December 2024. This was followed by a period of fluctuation throughout the spring and summer.

A secondary peak of 18.7 was recorded in May 2025. However, since the middle of the year, the crime rate has shown a general downward trend, reaching a low of 10.5 per 1,000 in October 2025 before a slight rise to 14.1 in November. This overall reduction is a positive indicator for the area, suggesting that efforts to combat crime, particularly in the commercial sector, may be having an effect. For residents and business owners, this trend provides some reassurance, though the absolute crime rate remains high by national standards.

How To Keep Safe in Queenborough

The highest crime types in Queenborough are violence and sexual offences (30.3%) and shoplifting (21.1%). The high retail crime rate suggests that commercial areas require particular vigilance.

To stay safe in Queenborough, consider these specific tips:

• When shopping in local retail parks, be mindful of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure; high shoplifting rates often correlate with opportunistic bag or pocket theft.
• For business owners, implement high-visibility security and proactive monitoring to deter shoplifters before they enter your premises.
• For residents, 'criminal damage' is a notable concern (9.8%); ensure your property is well-protected with secure fencing and consider motion-activated lighting to discourage vandals.
• Vehicle crime is most prevalent at night (30% of night-time crime); always park in well-lit, secure areas and ensure no valuables are left on display.
• Given the high overall crime volume, joining or forming a local Neighbourhood Watch can help improve community resilience and information sharing with local police.

Queenborough's crime patterns are heavily influenced by its commercial activity. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the busiest periods, dominated by theft and shoplifting which account for over 42% of incidents. This aligns with standard retail opening hours when footfall is at its peak.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), the crime mix shifts significantly. Theft drops to 17%, while 'other' crimes—predominantly anti-social behaviour and public order offences—spike to 56%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) carries a different set of risks. While overall volume is lower, vehicle crime (30%) and burglary (21%) reach their highest proportional levels of the day. This indicates that while daytime crime is largely business-focused, the risk to residential property and vehicles is most acute during the early hours of the morning.

In the regional context, Queenborough is one of the more active crime areas within Swale. Its rate of 176.5 per 1,000 is similar to Sheerness (194.2) but is vastly higher than nearby residential havens like Iwade (38.3) and Halfway Houses (63.7). It also records more than double the crime rate of Minster (69.6). For those considering the area, Queenborough's safety profile is influenced by its commercial and industrial character, which attracts more opportunistic crime than purely residential neighbours. While it offers excellent transport links and local services, residents should be aware of the higher statistical risk compared to the quieter settlements nearby.

With an exceptionally high property crime rate of 84.0 per 1,000, Queenborough homeowners and business owners face a significant challenge. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are primarily reactive; they record footage of a crime that has already occurred. In a high-activity area like Queenborough, proactive protection is essential. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property's boundary before an intruder can gain access. The system doesn't just record; it intervenes. By using autonomous responses such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For local businesses plagued by shoplifting or residents concerned about vehicle crime, scOS offers professional-grade vehicle verification and boundary monitoring that traditional DIY systems cannot match. In an area with these statistics, stopping a crime before it happens is far more valuable than having a video of it later. prioritising prevention is the only way to effectively lower your risk.