Sittingbourne Crime Rate

Sittingbourne currently holds an overall crime rate of 101.2 per 1,000 residents, which places it slightly above the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, the area maintains a respectable safety score of 77/100, indicating a generally secure environment for its 57,859 inhabitants. The most recent data reveals a promising downward trend, with total crime decreasing by 7.0% year-over-year. This reduction suggests that while Sittingbourne remains a busy urban hub within Swale, the frequency of criminal activity is trending in a positive direction. Residents can find context in these figures: while the volume of incidents is higher than in more rural neighbours, the safety score suggests that Sittingbourne remains a functional and relatively safe town for the majority of its population.

Crime in Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.9% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 35.3 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most frequent issue at 21.6 per 1,000, while shoplifting represents a significant portion of local activity at 11.2% of the total. When looking at property crime as a whole—which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—the rate stands at 34.2 per 1,000 people. This suggests that while violent offences are the most voluminous, property-related concerns remain a persistent factor for the community. For residents, this underscores the importance of securing personal belongings and maintaining visible home security. Although the burglary rate itself is relatively low at 2.2 per 1,000, the broader category of 'other theft' and vehicle crime indicates that opportunists are active within the urban settlement, necessitating a proactive approach to property protection.

Crime Trends in Sittingbourne

Analysis of the data from January 2025 to December 2025 shows that Sittingbourne is experiencing a healthy decline in criminal activity. The overall crime rate has dropped by 7.0% compared to the previous 12-month period. Looking at the monthly breakdown, the year started with a rate of 8.8 in January, followed by a significant dip to 6.7 in February. However, the spring and summer months saw higher levels of activity, with a peak of 10.7 in May and another high of 10.2 in July. These seasonal spikes are common in urban areas as warmer weather often leads to increased public interaction and outdoor activity. Towards the end of the year, the rate stabilised, finishing at 7.5 in December. This downward year-over-year trend suggests that Sittingbourne is becoming safer, although the fluctuations throughout the year remind residents that vigilance remains necessary during peak periods.

How To Keep Safe in Sittingbourne

The most prevalent crime type in Sittingbourne is violence and sexual offences, followed closely by anti-social behaviour. To enhance your personal safety in the town, consider the following advice. Firstly, stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the town centre, particularly during late evening hours when anti-social behaviour incidents are more frequent. Stick to well-lit, busy routes and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas. Secondly, if you are out enjoying Sittingbourne's nightlife, try to stay with a group of friends and plan your journey home in advance using reputable taxi services. Thirdly, keep your personal belongings, such as mobile phones and wallets, secure and out of sight in crowded areas to prevent opportunistic theft. Finally, engage with local community safety schemes or neighbourhood watch groups to stay informed about specific issues in your immediate area. Awareness and proactive planning are your best tools for maintaining personal security in an urban environment.

Crime in Sittingbourne follows distinct temporal patterns that align with the town's daily rhythms. During the morning and afternoon, theft and shoplifting are the most prominent concerns, peaking between 12pm and 6pm when they account for 41% of incidents. This suggests that commercial areas are the primary focus during daylight hours. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), there is a significant shift, with 'other' crime types—often including anti-social behaviour and public order issues—dominating 66% of reports. This evening spike reflects the activity associated with the town's social spaces and nightlife. Late at night, between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime becomes a major factor, reaching 31% of the period's total. This indicates that while foot traffic decreases, stationary assets like parked cars become the primary targets for opportunistic criminals under the cover of darkness.

Sittingbourne's safety profile stands in contrast to its more rural neighbours. While Sittingbourne reports 101.2 crimes per 1,000 people, nearby Iwade is significantly quieter with a rate of 39.2. Broadoak also shows a lower frequency of incidents at 46.7 per 1,000. Most notably, the adjacent areas of Borden and Highsted reported no crimes during the data period, highlighting the sharp divide between the urban centre of Sittingbourne and the surrounding Swale countryside. For those considering the region, Sittingbourne acts as the primary commercial and activity hub, which naturally results in higher crime figures than the strictly residential or agricultural areas nearby. Understanding this regional context is vital for assessing the town's statistical standing accurately.

With a property crime rate of 34.2 per 1,000 residents in Sittingbourne, protecting your home requires more than just a standard alarm. Most traditional security systems are reactive; they notify you or record footage only after a breach has occurred. In an area where vehicle crime and 'other theft' represent a combined 8.2% of all incidents, a proactive approach is far more effective. Modern AI-powered security, such as scOS, changes the dynamic by detecting potential threats at your property boundary. Instead of providing you with a video of a crime in progress, these systems use autonomous responses—like activating lights or engaging speakers—to deter intruders before they can cause damage. In Sittingbourne's urban environment, where burglars often make quick decisions based on perceived risk, the visible presence of a professional-grade, intelligent system often encourages them to move on to an easier target. Prioritising prevention over simple recording is the most robust way to safeguard your property against the local crime trends.