Crime in Swale: statistics, rates and trends

15,724 crimes were recorded in Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,610 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Swale has the 101st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Swale was highest in the year to July 2018 (19,140 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (15,724). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 Swale 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, criminal damage and arson, other crime.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+19%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-42%) and public order (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Swale

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Swale recorded 5,610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Swale

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Swale recorded 3,592 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 22.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Swale

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Swale recorded 1,476 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Swale

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Swale recorded 1,290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Swale

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Swale recorded 906 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Swale

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Swale recorded 645 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 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Swale

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Swale recorded 568 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Swale

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Swale recorded 521 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Swale

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Swale recorded 373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Swale

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Swale recorded 373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Swale

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Swale recorded 153 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 11% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Swale

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Swale recorded 108 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 8% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Swale

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Swale recorded 77 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 5% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Swale

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Swale recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

40 areas within Swale, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Roman had the highest rate (210.5 per 1,000) and Upchurch the lowest (34.1). 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 Swale over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Swale 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.

Swale has an estimated population of 158,379. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Swale sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. 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 Swale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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