Rural Swale Crime Rate

Rural Swale maintains a high safety score of 80/100, positioning it well above the UK average of 79. The area's overall crime rate is 79.2 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 91.7. Although the area has seen an 8.6% increase in recorded crime over the last 12 months, it remains a statistically safer choice compared to many other settlements in the region. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice to help residents and homeowners understand the local security environment across the local authority's rural settlements.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Swale

Rural Swale's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 430 recorded incidents, or 45.8% of all crime. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 18.3%, followed by other theft at 6.9%. Criminal damage and arson also represent a significant portion of the local data at 6.6%.

Property-related crime in Rural Swale—encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 18.5 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Burglary specifically accounts for 3.0% of total crime, while vehicle crime makes up 6.0%. For residents, these figures suggest that while the overall crime rate is moderate, the risk of property intrusion is statistically low. However, the prevalence of vehicle crime and criminal damage indicates that protecting cars and maintaining secure property boundaries should still be a priority. The overall profile indicates a safe residential environment with specific focus needed on personal and vehicle security.

Crime Trends in Rural Swale

Analysis of the latest 12-month data for Rural Swale shows an upward trend, with total crime increasing by 8.6%. The crime rate per 1,000 people started at 4.5 in December 2024 and saw a steady rise through the spring and summer.

A peak of 9.6 was recorded in July 2025, followed by 8.4 in August. After this summer peak, the crime rate generally declined, returning to 6.0 in October and 6.1 in November 2025. This suggests that the overall increase was heavily influenced by higher activity during the summer months. For residents, while the annual increase is notable, the return to more moderate figures at the end of the year is an encouraging sign. Continued community vigilance and reporting will be key to maintaining these lower safety levels across the rural areas.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Swale

The primary crime type in Rural Swale is violence and sexual offences, making up 45.8% of all reports. While these incidents are often non-random, maintaining high personal safety standards is always recommended.

To stay safe in Rural Swale, consider these practical steps:

• Vehicle crime is a specific risk, especially at night when it accounts for 49% of incidents. Always ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left on display. If possible, park in a garage or a well-lit driveway.
• To deter anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined with secure fencing and consider motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your home.
• Keep garden tools, bicycles, and outdoor equipment securely locked away in a shed or garage, as 'other theft' is a top crime category (6.9%).
• When walking in rural areas at night, stick to well-lit main roads and be aware of your surroundings.
• Engaging with local community groups and reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour can help improve collective security and help the local police address specific issues.

Crime in Rural Swale shows a clear temporal pattern. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the most active periods for theft, accounting for 45% and 52% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely during the hours of highest daytime activity.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm - 12am), there is a shift in crime types. Theft drops to 20%, while 'other' crimes—predominantly anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—surge to 43%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle owners; vehicle crime jumps to 49% of all recorded incidents during these hours, its highest proportional peak of the day. Burglary also remains stable throughout the 24-hour cycle, peaking at 16% during the afternoon, evening, and night. This temporal data indicates that property and vehicle security are most vulnerable during the afternoon and early morning hours, reinforcing the need for 24-hour protection.

In the regional context, Rural Swale is a secure residential option. Its crime rate of 79.2 per 1,000 is lower than the major urban hub of Sittingbourne (101.0). It provides a more secure environment than the busier coastal settlements and is consistent with the safety profile of the broader rural Kent area. For those looking for a peaceful and secure community within the Swale local authority, Rural Swale offers a balanced and attractive safety profile compared to the more active urban centres. For residents, this means a generally safe environment with lower levels of crime than many neighbouring areas.

With a property crime rate of 18.5 per 1,000, Rural Swale residents should focus on proactive home security. Traditional CCTV systems often fail because they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed. In contrast, scOS uses AI to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's boundary, scOS can detect an intruder before they reach your doors or windows. The system's multi-camera intelligence can distinguish between a delivery person and a suspicious stranger, only alerting you to real threats. Furthermore, scOS can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating security lights or audible warnings, which are proven to deter burglars who rely on the element of surprise. For rural areas where vehicle crime is a specific risk overnight, scOS’s ability to monitor driveways and verify vehicle plates provides a professional-grade layer of protection that goes far beyond what standard DIY cameras can offer. prioritising prevention is the most effective way to secure your home.