Crime in Canterbury district: statistics, rates and trends

17,618 crimes were recorded in Canterbury district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,857 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Canterbury district has the 76th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Canterbury district was highest in the year to July 2018 (18,574 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (16,429). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Canterbury district 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+41%) and robbery (+38%). The largest falls were in public order (-18%) and theft from the person (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Canterbury district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Canterbury district recorded 5,857 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 33.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Canterbury district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Canterbury district recorded 3,362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Canterbury district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Canterbury district recorded 2,490 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 14.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Canterbury district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Canterbury district recorded 1,546 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Canterbury district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Canterbury district recorded 1,120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Canterbury district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Canterbury district recorded 664 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Canterbury district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Canterbury district recorded 608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Canterbury district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Canterbury district recorded 595 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Canterbury district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Canterbury district recorded 408 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Canterbury district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Canterbury district recorded 373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Canterbury district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Canterbury district recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Canterbury district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Canterbury district recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Canterbury district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Canterbury district recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Canterbury district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Canterbury district recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Canterbury district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Canterbury district.

33 areas within Canterbury district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Westgate had the highest rate (304.1 per 1,000) and Blean the lowest (22.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Canterbury district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Canterbury district 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.

Canterbury district has an estimated population of 162,100. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Canterbury district sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Canterbury district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.