Upchurch Crime Rate

Upchurch is an exceptionally secure village, with a safety score of 90/100, placing it well above the UK average of 79. Its overall crime rate is 34.2 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. Furthermore, the area has seen a notable 31.3% decrease in recorded crime over the last 12 months, indicating a strong positive safety trend. These statistics highlight Upchurch as one of the safest residential choices in the Swale local authority. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice to help residents and homeowners understand the local security environment.

Crime Breakdown in Upchurch

Upchurch's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 25 recorded incidents, or 54.4% of all crime. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 10.9%, followed by criminal damage, shoplifting, and vehicle crime, each at 6.5%.

Property-related crime in Upchurch—encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 8.2 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.3. Notably, there were zero recorded burglaries in the latest 12-month period, which is a significant safety indicator for homeowners. Vehicle crime and shoplifting are the main property-based concerns, both at 6.5% of total crime. For residents, these figures suggest that the overall risk of property intrusion is remarkably low. However, the prevalence of vehicle crime and criminal damage indicates that protecting cars and maintaining secure property boundaries should still be a priority. The overall profile indicates an extremely safe residential environment.

Crime Trends in Upchurch

Analysis of the latest 12-month data for Upchurch shows a strong downward trend, with total crime decreasing by 31.3%. The crime rate per 1,000 people started at 2.2 in December 2024 and saw a peak of 6.0 in March 2025.

Following this peak, the crime rate generally declined and remained stable throughout the rest of the year. Most months recorded rates between 0.7 and 4.5 per 1,000, finishing the period at 4.5 in November 2025. This suggests that the overall trend is one of significant improved safety. For residents, this substantial annual reduction is very encouraging, reflecting a village that is becoming increasingly secure. The consistency of these low figures reinforces Upchurch's reputation as a very safe and stable community.

How To Keep Safe in Upchurch

The most common crime in Upchurch is violence and sexual offences (54.4%), followed by anti-social behaviour (10.9%). While overall crime is exceptionally low, specific focus on property and personal safety is always beneficial.

To stay safe in Upchurch, consider the following:

• Vehicle crime is a specific risk, especially at night when it accounts for 67% of incidents. Always ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left on display. If possible, park in a garage or a well-lit driveway.
• To deter anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, ensure your property's perimeter is well-defined with secure fencing and consider motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your home.
• Keep garden tools, bicycles, and outdoor equipment securely locked away in a shed or garage, as 'other theft' is a top crime category.
• When walking through the village at night, stick to well-lit main roads and be aware of your surroundings.
• Engaging with local community groups can help you stay informed about any rare but specific safety concerns in the village and improve collective security.

Crime in Upchurch shows a clear temporal pattern. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the most active periods for theft, accounting for 24% and 36% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely during the hours of highest daytime activity.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm - 12am), there is a shift in crime types. Theft drops to 9%, while 'other' crimes—predominantly anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—surge to 55%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle owners; vehicle crime jumps to 67% of all recorded incidents during these hours, its highest proportional peak of the day. Burglary is non-existent across all 24-hour cycles. This temporal data indicates that vehicle security is most vulnerable during the early morning hours, reinforcing the need for secure overnight parking in the village.

In comparison to its immediate neighbours, Upchurch is an exceptionally secure settlement. Its crime rate of 34.2 per 1,000 is much lower than nearby Lower Halstow (73.3) and Newington (69.2). While very small hamlets like Ham Green and Hartlip recorded no crimes, Upchurch remains an exceptionally safe option for a village of its size and local amenities. It sits as a peaceful residential alternative to the busier urban centres in Swale, offering a high standard of safety that is consistent with its quiet character. For those looking for a secure community, Upchurch offers a very attractive safety profile.

While Upchurch enjoys an exceptionally low property crime rate of 8.2 per 1,000 and zero burglaries, the fact that vehicle crime (6.5%) and criminal damage (6.5%) are among the top offences suggests that property owners should focus on perimeter security. Traditional CCTV systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they only record footage of a crime that has already occurred. For a village like Upchurch, scOS offers a more effective, proactive solution. By using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS detects potential threats at the boundary of your property, not after a vehicle has been tampered with or a window broken. The system can distinguish between residents and strangers, and its autonomous response—such as activating security lights or audible warnings—is designed to stop a crime before it happens. For residents concerned about the high proportion of vehicle crime at night, scOS’s ability to monitor driveways and verify vehicle plates provides a professional-grade layer of protection that standard DIY systems simply cannot match. prioritising prevention over simple recording is the key to maintaining your home's security.