Crime in Abbey, Swale: statistics, rates and trends
872 crimes were recorded in Abbey, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Abbey, Swale at a glance
- Crime trends in Abbey, Swale
- Types of crime in Abbey, Swale
- Abbey, Swale compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Abbey, Swale
- What happened after crimes were reported in Abbey, Swale
- Population and deprivation in Abbey, Swale
- Questions about crime in Abbey, Swale
- About this data
872 crimes were recorded in Abbey, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 297 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Abbey, Swale has the 768th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Abbey, Swale | Swale | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 872 | 15,724 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 124.5 | 99.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 7,006 | 158,379 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Abbey, Swale was highest in the year to July 2020 (995 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (754). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 872 | 124.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 818 | 116.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 754 | 107.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 870 | 124.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 906 | 129.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 990 | 141.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 995 | 142.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 868 | 123.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 839 | 119.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 69 |
| June 2026 | 64 |
| May 2026 | 74 |
| April 2026 | 54 |
| March 2026 | 70 |
| February 2026 | 59 |
| January 2026 | 52 |
| December 2025 | 59 |
| November 2025 | 75 |
| October 2025 | 98 |
| September 2025 | 100 |
| August 2025 | 98 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Abbey, 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+44%) and anti-social behaviour (+43%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-29%) and public order (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 297 | 42.4 | 1.24 | +22% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 174 | 24.8 | 1.62 | +43% |
| Shoplifting | 116 | 16.6 | 2.00 | -29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 71 | 10.1 | 1.49 | -10% |
| Other theft | 59 | 8.4 | 1.32 | +18% |
| Vehicle crime | 39 | 5.6 | 1.13 | +44% |
| Public order | 28 | 4.0 | 0.60 | -26% |
| Other crime | 22 | 3.1 | 1.49 | -21% |
| Burglary | 21 | 3.0 | 0.85 | -19% |
| Drugs | 21 | 3.0 | 0.92 | +31% |
| Robbery | 9 | 1.3 | 0.95 | +29% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 1.0 | 1.21 | +17% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.7 | 0.73 | -17% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.4 | 0.25 | -57% |
Violence and sexual offences in Abbey, Swale
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Abbey, Swale recorded 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 34.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Abbey, Swale
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Abbey, Swale recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Abbey, Swale
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Abbey, Swale recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 13.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Abbey, Swale
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Abbey, Swale recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Abbey, Swale
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Abbey, Swale recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Abbey, Swale
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Abbey, Swale recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Abbey, Swale
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Abbey, Swale recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Abbey, Swale
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Abbey, Swale recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Abbey, Swale
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Abbey, Swale recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Abbey, Swale
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Abbey, Swale recorded 21 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 up 31% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Abbey, Swale
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Abbey, Swale recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Abbey, Swale
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Abbey, Swale recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Abbey, Swale
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Abbey, Swale recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Abbey, Swale
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Abbey, Swale recorded 3 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 57% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Abbey, Swale, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Abbey, Swale.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Abbey, Swale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watling | 393 | 58.3 | -53% |
| Priory | 386 | 112.6 | -10% |
| St Ann's | 458 | 85.3 | -31% |
| Boughton and Courtenay | 260 | 43.7 | -65% |
| Teynham and Lynsted | 566 | 78.8 | -37% |
| Sheppey East | 1,224 | 161.1 | +29% |
| Murston | 819 | 113.2 | -9% |
| West Downs | 245 | 77.9 | -37% |
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 Abbey, Swale over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 162 |
| On or near Gatefield Lane | 42 |
| On or near Market Street | 40 |
| On or near Preston Street | 40 |
| On or near Marsh Lane | 27 |
| On or near Park Road | 24 |
| On or near Cyprus Road | 21 |
| On or near B2041 | 19 |
| On or near Nova Avenue | 18 |
| On or near Kings Drive | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Abbey, 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 278 | 31.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 230 | 26.4% |
| Not recorded | 174 | 20.0% |
| Under investigation | 54 | 6.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 43 | 4.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 32 | 3.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 22 | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Abbey, Swale has an estimated population of 7,006. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Abbey, Swale sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Abbey, Swale |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.1% |
| Social rented homes | 13.8% |
| Private rented homes | 24.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
Is Abbey, Swale a safe place to live?
Abbey, Swale recorded 124.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Abbey, Swale?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (174).
Is crime in Abbey, Swale going up or down?
Recorded crime in Abbey, Swale was up 7% on the year before: 872 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 818 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Abbey, Swale?
Abbey, Swale 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 Abbey, Swale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.