Sittingbourne Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Sittingbourne's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 9.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 18.8% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s distinct position within national crime trends, particularly given the dominance of violent crimes—accounting for 36.2% of all incidents—compared to the UK average of 26%. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, were 26% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local social dynamics or community characteristics. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson followed closely, each contributing 14% of total crimes. The latter category, in particular, was 106% above the UK average, a stark outlier that could be linked to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and the Halloween period, which often see increased incidents of vandalism and arson. The overall profile suggests a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, where public spaces may be more prone to disorderly conduct. While property crimes (216 cases) slightly outpaced violent crimes (199 cases), the gap was narrow, indicating a balanced but elevated threat to both personal safety and property. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, the transition from summer to autumn, and the timing of Halloween—likely contributed to the specific patterns observed, though the exact causal links remain hedged. The data illustrates a combination of local conditions and broader national trends, with Sittingbourne maintaining a crime profile that diverges significantly from the UK average in key categories.

Violence and sexual offences in October 2023 rose to 199 incidents, a category that is 26% above the UK average. This surge, combined with a 30.5% increase in criminal damage and arson (from 59 to 77 cases), suggests a particular vulnerability in public spaces or community areas. Conversely, public order offences fell by 44.4% (from 45 to 25), a drop that may reflect reduced alcohol-related disturbances during the month. The possession of weapons category saw a 100% increase, with three reported cases—double the previous month’s total. This spike, while small in absolute terms, raises questions about local enforcement or community reporting trends. Robbery incidents declined by 60%, from five to two, a decrease that could be linked to seasonal factors or targeted policing efforts. These shifts highlight the unpredictable nature of crime trends, even within a single month.

Sittingbourne's crime rate in October 2023 fell by 17.0% compared to the previous month, dropping from 11.5 to 9.5 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the end of the summer season, though the area still maintains a rate 18.8% above the UK average. On a daily basis, the town recorded roughly 18 crimes per day in October, a figure that reflects local patterns but remains distinct from national averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 105 residents, a statistic that underscores the monthly exposure to crime in the built-up area. With a population of 57,859, this rate highlights the density of incidents relative to the community size, though the decrease from September suggests seasonal factors may have played a role in tempering activity. The drop in public order offences and robbery, coupled with the rise in criminal damage, indicates shifting dynamics in local crime profiles.