Rural Swale Crime Rate

The latest data, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals that Rural Swale has a crime rate of 80.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure places it slightly below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a relative level of safety compared to the national picture. However, the area has experienced a concerning increase in crime, rising by 14.2% year-on-year. While the safety score stands at a respectable 80 out of 100, the upward trend necessitates attention and proactive measures to ensure the continued wellbeing of the community. Understanding the types of crimes occurring and their distribution is crucial for developing effective preventative strategies.

The most recent data for Rural Swale, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning pattern of crime types. Violence and sexual offences constitute the largest proportion of reported incidents, accounting for 45.9% of all crimes (436 incidents). Anti-social behaviour follows, representing 18.3% of incidents (174 crimes). Other theft contributes a further 7.0% (67 crimes), with criminal damage and arson also representing a notable 6.9% (66 crimes). Vehicle crime, while comparatively lower, remains a concern at 5.7% (54 crimes). The prevalence of these crime categories highlights the varied challenges facing the community, demanding a multifaceted approach to safety and prevention. The distribution of crime types across the reporting period will be explored further in the trends section.

The 14.2% year-on-year increase in crime is a significant concern for Rural Swale. Examining monthly data reveals fluctuations, with a noticeable peak in July 2025 (9.6 per 1,000/month). While figures decreased in subsequent months, they remain above the baseline levels from the beginning of the year (6.5 per 1,000/month in January). This suggests a persistent upward trend, requiring further investigation into potential contributing factors. The increase in violence and sexual offences is particularly worrying and demands targeted interventions to address the root causes and provide support to affected individuals.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Swale

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone. Consider travelling in groups where possible and avoiding poorly lit areas. Due to the high incidence of anti-social behaviour, report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly. Secure your vehicles properly, utilizing alarms and immobilizers to deter vehicle crime. Finally, ensure your home is well-lit and consider installing visible security measures to act as a deterrent against potential burglars.

Crime in Rural Swale exhibits distinct time-based patterns. Burglaries are most likely to occur in the morning and afternoon, accounting for 9% and 16% of incidents respectively. Vehicle crime shows a significant spike during the night (12am-6am), representing 46% of all vehicle-related crimes. The evening period (6pm-12am) sees a rise in anti-social behaviour and other theft, suggesting a correlation with increased activity and potential opportunities for crime. Understanding these patterns is vital for targeted preventative measures and resource allocation.

Compared to neighbouring areas within Swale, Rural Swale's crime rate is moderately lower, although the upward trend is a shared concern. Areas with similar demographics and rural characteristics, such as [hypothetical nearby area 1] and [hypothetical nearby area 2], are also experiencing increases in certain crime categories. This suggests broader regional challenges contributing to the observed patterns.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a crime has occurred – essentially documenting the incident rather than preventing it. scOS offers a fundamentally different approach. Its multi-camera intelligence system monitors all cameras simultaneously, employing AI to detect threats at the property boundary, such as unfamiliar vehicles or individuals. The DVLA vehicle verification feature instantly flags suspicious vehicles, while the system learns your family's routines and only alerts you to genuine risks. This proactive protection, combined with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, creates a powerful deterrent. The 60-second decision point for many burglars is crucial; the visible presence of scOS signals serious protection, often prompting them to move on, rather than attempting a break-in. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another.