Crime in Kent: statistics, rates and trends
145,448 crimes were recorded in Kent in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
145,448 crimes were recorded in Kent in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 50,996 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Kent has the 4th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kent | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 145,448 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 88.7 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 1,639,029 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kent was highest in the year to July 2018 (182,160 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (145,448). Over the whole period it fell 20%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 145,448 | 88.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 149,335 | 91.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 155,124 | 94.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 159,999 | 97.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 168,113 | 102.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 174,501 | 106.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 178,744 | 109.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 173,842 | 106.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 182,160 | 111.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 13,728 |
| June 2026 | 12,365 |
| May 2026 | 12,513 |
| April 2026 | 12,081 |
| March 2026 | 12,515 |
| February 2026 | 10,915 |
| January 2026 | 11,428 |
| December 2025 | 12,043 |
| November 2025 | 11,759 |
| October 2025 | 11,702 |
| September 2025 | 10,955 |
| August 2025 | 13,444 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kent over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in robbery (+36%) and anti-social behaviour (+25%).
The largest falls were in theft from the person (-20%) and public order (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 50,996 | 31.1 | 0.91 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 28,799 | 17.6 | 1.15 | +25% |
| Shoplifting | 14,312 | 8.7 | 1.05 | +0% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 13,261 | 8.1 | 1.19 | -5% |
| Other theft | 9,827 | 6.0 | 0.94 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 6,125 | 3.7 | 0.76 | -9% |
| Public order | 5,500 | 3.4 | 0.51 | -19% |
| Drugs | 4,918 | 3.0 | 0.92 | -7% |
| Other crime | 4,092 | 2.5 | 1.18 | -8% |
| Burglary | 3,616 | 2.2 | 0.62 | -16% |
| Possession of weapons | 1,467 | 0.9 | 0.92 | +2% |
| Robbery | 1,155 | 0.7 | 0.52 | +36% |
| Bicycle theft | 803 | 0.5 | 0.60 | +1% |
| Theft from the person | 577 | 0.4 | 0.21 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kent
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kent recorded 50,996 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 35.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kent
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kent recorded 28,799 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 19.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kent
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kent recorded 14,312 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kent
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kent recorded 13,261 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kent
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kent recorded 9,827 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kent
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kent recorded 6,125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kent
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kent recorded 5,500 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kent
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kent recorded 4,918 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kent
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kent recorded 4,092 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kent
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kent recorded 3,616 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kent
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kent recorded 1,467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kent
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kent recorded 1,155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kent
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kent recorded 803 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kent
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kent recorded 577 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to Kent, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kent.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kent |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Sussex | 50,773 | 90.5 | +2% |
| Essex | 124,662 | 79.7 | -10% |
| Surrey | 87,826 | 70.3 | -21% |
| West Sussex | 75,447 | 82.5 | -7% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | -4% |
| Suffolk | 48,709 | 62.0 | -30% |
| Cambridgeshire | 54,491 | 76.7 | -14% |
| Hampshire | 93,230 | 64.4 | -27% |
12 areas within Kent, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Thanet had the highest rate (114.6 per 1,000) and Sevenoaks the lowest (62.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanet | District | 142,691 | 16,349 | 114.6 |
| Canterbury | District | 162,100 | 17,618 | 108.7 |
| Dartford | District | 125,011 | 13,504 | 108.0 |
| Swale | District | 158,379 | 15,724 | 99.3 |
| Gravesham | District | 110,671 | 10,308 | 93.1 |
| Dover | District | 119,768 | 10,455 | 87.3 |
| Maidstone | District | 187,767 | 16,230 | 86.4 |
| Folkestone and Hythe | District | 112,411 | 9,548 | 84.9 |
| Ashford | District | 140,936 | 10,803 | 76.7 |
| Tunbridge Wells | District | 119,694 | 8,081 | 67.5 |
| Tonbridge and Malling | District | 136,853 | 9,137 | 66.8 |
| Sevenoaks | District | 122,748 | 7,691 | 62.7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kent over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 42,634 | 29.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 41,972 | 28.9% |
| Not recorded | 28,799 | 19.8% |
| Under investigation | 8,947 | 6.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7,540 | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 4,607 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 3,254 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 3,111 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2,699 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 1,095 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 495 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 198 | 0.1% |
Kent has an estimated population of 1,639,029. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kent sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kent |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.5% |
| Private rented homes | 18.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 6.5% |
Is Kent a safe place to live?
Kent recorded 88.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Kent?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 50,996 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (28,799).
Is crime in Kent going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kent was down 3% on the year before: 145,448 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 149,335 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kent?
Kent is policed by Kent. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Kent. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.