Sittingbourne Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Sittingbourne's December 2025 crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents places it 7.1% above the UK average, highlighting a concerning trend in local crime dynamics. The top three crime types—violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson—collectively account for over 60% of all reported incidents, underscoring a pattern of community-based and property-related crime. The seasonal context of December—marked by dark evenings, Christmas shopping, and holiday-related absences—likely contributes to these patterns. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.7 per 1,000, are 5% above the UK average, suggesting that the built-up area's population density and social interactions during the festive season may be exacerbating such incidents. Anti-social behaviour, now at 1.7 per 1,000, is 83% above the UK average, indicating a significant challenge in managing public order during the holiday period. The high rate of criminal damage and arson, 0.8 per 1,000, which is 54% above the UK average, may be linked to the increased presence of empty homes and the potential for vandalism during the festive season. These figures collectively illustrate a community grappling with both personal safety concerns and broader environmental challenges, particularly in managing public spaces during peak holiday periods. The data also reveals a stark contrast in the performance of different crime categories, with some types, like vehicle crime, showing marked increases while others, such as robbery, experience significant declines. This variation suggests that the local crime picture is influenced by a combination of seasonal, demographic, and geographic factors that require targeted intervention.

December 2025 saw a significant 80% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 10 to 18 incidents. This sharp rise is likely linked to seasonal factors such as increased vehicle use during Christmas shopping and the potential for unattended vehicles in empty homes over the holidays. Anti-social behaviour also increased by 13.6%, with the category now 83% above the UK average. This suggests a particular challenge in managing public spaces during the festive season, when alcohol consumption and social gatherings may contribute to such incidents. Meanwhile, robbery rates fell by 80% compared to November, though this decrease may be partly explained by the reduced number of high-traffic areas during the holiday period. The stark contrast between the rising vehicle crime and the falling robbery rates illustrates a shifting crime mix, with property-related offences gaining prominence over violent crimes in this month's data.

Sittingbourne's December 2025 crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents marks an 11.2% decrease from the previous month's 8.5 per 1,000. While this represents a welcome decline, the daily crime count of 14 incidents remains a local concern, translating to one reported crime for every 133 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure highlights the persistent presence of crime in the area, though the overall rate is now slightly below the peak seen in November. The population-scaled perspective shows that while the rate has fallen, the absolute number of incidents still demands attention, particularly given the seasonal factors that may amplify certain crime types. The drop from November to December is consistent with the typical post-Christmas lull in retail-related crimes, though the continued prevalence of violent and anti-social offences suggests deeper community challenges that require sustained focus.