Sittingbourne Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2026, Sittingbourne, a built-up area within Swale, recorded 463 crimes across a population of 57,859 residents, equating to 8.0 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 25% above the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, placing the area in a distinct position relative to national trends. The crime profile reflects a mix of violent and property-related incidents, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.3% of all reported crimes (159 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (27.2%, 126 cases) and shoplifting (12.7%, 59 cases). The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced these patterns, with indoor spaces potentially amplifying conflicts and anti-social conduct. However, the data also reveals significant disparities compared to the UK average, particularly in categories such as anti-social behaviour (142% above the UK rate) and shoplifting (72% above). These figures suggest a combination of local factors and broader national trends. The prominence of violent crime, despite the winter lull, may indicate persistent challenges in community safety, particularly in densely populated areas where interactions are frequent and resources for conflict resolution may be stretched.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour increasing by 20% (from 105 to 126 incidents) and violence and sexual offences rising by 6.7% (from 149 to 159). These increases, though modest, align with the seasonal context of a winter month, where indoor gatherings may heighten tensions in shared spaces. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 66.7% (from 27 to 9), a reduction likely tied to decreased outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for theft in unoccupied vehicles. The drugs category also saw a sharp rise, with a 33.3% increase (from 12 to 16 incidents), suggesting possible shifts in local drug markets or enforcement patterns. Anti-social behaviour remains 142% above the UK average at 2.2 per 1,000, a figure that may reflect the built-up area’s density and the challenges of managing public spaces in a small urban environment. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends and the importance of targeted interventions.

Sittingbourne’s crime rate for February 2026 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, a 4.5% decrease from the previous month’s 8.4 per 1,000. While this slight reduction may reflect seasonal patterns typical of winter months—when outdoor activity declines and community interactions shift indoors—overall rates remain 25% above the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 17 crimes per day, a figure that, while contextually relevant, does not account for population density or localised factors. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, illustrating the frequency of incidents within a relatively compact built-up area. This monthly exposure rate, though consistent with historical trends, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and community engagement to address persistent issues. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the slight monthly decline, the area’s crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, particularly in categories such as anti-social behaviour and violence.