Sittingbourne Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne records an overall crime rate of 104.4 crimes per 1,000 residents annually, placing it above the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. Despite this, the area maintains a robust safety score of 77 out of 100, indicating a relatively safe environment, closely aligning with the UK average safety score of 78. Over the past year, Sittingbourne has seen a positive trend with a decrease of 5.5% in its crime rate. This section offers a detailed breakdown of crime data within Sittingbourne, providing insights into specific crime types, hourly and daily patterns, and comparisons with neighbouring areas for a comprehensive understanding of local safety.

Crime Type Analysis in Sittingbourne

In Sittingbourne, the most prevalent crime types are Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 2,087 incidents or 34.5% of all crimes, at a rate of 36.1 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows with 1,226 reported incidents (20.3% of the total, 21.2 per 1,000), and Shoplifting is the third most common, with 721 occurrences (11.9% of the total, 12.5 per 1,000). These three categories represent a significant proportion of the criminal activity in the area.

Property-related crime in Sittingbourne, encompassing burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at a rate of 36.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is slightly higher than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, burglary accounts for 2.4 per 1,000 residents, vehicle crime for 3.6 per 1,000, and other theft for 5.0 per 1,000. These statistics underscore the importance for residents and homeowners to implement strong security measures to protect their properties and valuables against these common offences.

Crime Trends in Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne has experienced a positive trend in its crime rate over the last year, showing a decrease of 5.5% year-over-year. This indicates a notable improvement in the overall safety profile of the area. Analysing the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations throughout the year. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was 9.8 in October 2024, dipping to 7.3 by December 2024, before rising to 9.5 in March 2025. A peak was observed in May 2025 at 10.7 crimes per 1,000, followed by a decline to 7.1 in September 2025. These monthly shifts suggest dynamic factors influencing crime, but the overarching year-on-year decrease is a reassuring sign for residents, indicating a general reduction in criminal activity.

Time Patterns of Crime in Sittingbourne

Crime patterns in Sittingbourne show distinct shifts throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a significant proportion of 'other' crimes and theft, indicating activity during routine daily movements. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft and 'other' crimes continue to dominate, with a noticeable increase in burglary, possibly targeting properties during working hours. The evening period (6pm-12am) sees 'other' crimes becoming even more prevalent, while theft and vehicle crime remain present. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime and 'other' offences become particularly significant, alongside consistent burglary activity, suggesting opportunistic crimes under the cover of darkness.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Sittingbourne's crime statistics with nearby areas, it provides valuable regional context. Sittingbourne's overall crime rate of 104.4 per 1,000 is generally higher than quieter, more rural areas like Borden, Highsted, and Iwade, which typically experience lower crime levels due to their smaller populations and different characteristics. However, Sittingbourne's urban nature means it will naturally have a higher rate than these smaller settlements. Compared to Broadoak, Sittingbourne also registers a higher crime rate. These comparisons highlight that while Sittingbourne has a good safety score, its urban environment leads to a higher incidence of crime compared to its immediate, less densely populated neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in Sittingbourne

With Sittingbourne's property crime rate at 36.2 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly above the national average, it is crucial for homeowners and residents to consider robust security measures. Relying solely on reactive security, such as traditional CCTV cameras that merely record a burglary after it has occurred, offers limited protection. The focus should shift towards proactive solutions that prevent crime from happening in the first place.

AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS offer a significant advancement in property protection. Unlike systems that notify you after an incident, scOS proactively detects threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning allow the system to differentiate between known individuals and real threats, initiating an autonomous response that includes activating lights and engaging speakers. This immediate deterrence is designed to destroy the element of surprise for potential burglars, making them reconsider within the critical 60 seconds they often take to decide. Choosing professional-grade security like scOS means actively stopping threats at your property line, rather than just documenting them.