Sheerness Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Sheerness' crime rate in May 2025 reached 19.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 134.6% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark divergence reflects the area's unique position within Swale, where the built-up nature of the community and seasonal factors like May's bank holidays and extended evenings contribute to heightened activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.4% of all crimes, with a rate of 8.1 per 1,000—186% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 26.0% of incidents, with a rate of 4.9 per 1,000, 245% above the national average. These figures align with the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where social interactions during warmer months may amplify tensions. The seasonal context of May—marked by increased outdoor drinking and socialising—likely contributes to the elevated rates of violence and anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime saw significant spikes, with burglary rising 266.7% month-on-month, suggesting possible shifts in criminal activity patterns. This combination of factors underscores the need for targeted interventions, as the area's crime profile diverges sharply from national trends, with no clear indication of a recent downturn.

The month-on-month surge in burglary (+266.7%) from 3 to 11 incidents reflects a troubling shift in property crime dynamics. This increase, coupled with a 200% rise in drug-related offences (from 2 to 6), suggests evolving patterns that may partly explain the overall rate's sharp climb. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 38.5% (from 13 to 8), a decline that contrasts with the 10% UK-wide advantage Sheerness holds in this category. Anti-social behaviour remained the second-most common crime at 26.0% of total incidents, far exceeding the UK average by 245%. The stark divergence in rates—such as violence and sexual offences being 186% above the UK average—highlights systemic challenges in this area. For residents, the 8 crimes per day figure offers a concrete daily reminder of the local context, even as some categories like shoplifting show unexpected reductions.

Sheerness' crime rate in May 2025 rose to 19.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 34.4% increase from April's 14.1 per 1,000. This places the area 134.6% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a disparity that has persisted across recent months. On a daily basis, residents experienced approximately 8 crimes per day over the 31-day period, highlighting the frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure means one reported crime occurred for roughly every 53 residents, a stark figure that underscores the elevated risk compared to national benchmarks. The population of 13,168 further contextualises these numbers, showing how concentrated the crime rate is within this relatively small community. While the UK average includes a broad range of urban and rural areas, Sheerness' specific challenges—such as its coastal location and seasonal social patterns—appear to amplify local crime trends in ways that diverge from national averages.