Crime in Heron: statistics, rates and trends
2,160 crimes were recorded in Heron in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
2,160 crimes were recorded in Heron in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 713 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Heron has the 546th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Heron | Canterbury | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,160 | 17,618 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 138.9 | 108.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 15,552 | 162,100 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Heron was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,514 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,987). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 2,160 | 138.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,052 | 131.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,987 | 127.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,248 | 144.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,052 | 131.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,242 | 144.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,211 | 142.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,140 | 137.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,514 | 161.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 203 |
| June 2026 | 190 |
| May 2026 | 210 |
| April 2026 | 211 |
| March 2026 | 160 |
| February 2026 | 145 |
| January 2026 | 171 |
| December 2025 | 135 |
| November 2025 | 162 |
| October 2025 | 187 |
| September 2025 | 159 |
| August 2025 | 227 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Heron 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+54%) and other theft (+28%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-50%) and public order (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 713 | 45.8 | 1.34 | -0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 490 | 31.5 | 2.05 | +54% |
| Shoplifting | 298 | 19.2 | 2.31 | -17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 174 | 11.2 | 1.65 | -5% |
| Other theft | 111 | 7.1 | 1.12 | +28% |
| Drugs | 81 | 5.2 | 1.59 | -6% |
| Vehicle crime | 72 | 4.6 | 0.94 | +0% |
| Public order | 62 | 4.0 | 0.60 | -30% |
| Burglary | 51 | 3.3 | 0.93 | +21% |
| Other crime | 42 | 2.7 | 1.28 | +8% |
| Possession of weapons | 27 | 1.7 | 1.79 | +69% |
| Robbery | 24 | 1.5 | 1.14 | +41% |
| Bicycle theft | 12 | 0.8 | 0.94 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 0.11 | -40% |
Violence and sexual offences in Heron
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Heron recorded 713 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Heron
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Heron recorded 490 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Heron
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Heron recorded 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Heron
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Heron recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Heron
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Heron recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Heron
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Heron recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Heron
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Heron recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Heron
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Heron recorded 62 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 30% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Heron
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Heron recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Heron
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Heron recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Heron
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Heron recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Heron
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Heron recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Heron
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Heron recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Heron
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Heron recorded 3 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 40% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Heron, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Heron.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Heron |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bay | 210 | 67.3 | -52% |
| Greenhill | 234 | 62.8 | -55% |
| Beltinge | 236 | 37.2 | -73% |
| Herne & Broomfield | 414 | 40.7 | -71% |
| Reculver | 255 | 57.5 | -59% |
| Chestfield | 311 | 45.8 | -67% |
| Tankerton | 166 | 52.5 | -62% |
| Gorrell | 1,379 | 115.7 | -17% |
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 Heron over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 341 |
| On or near Parking Area | 115 |
| On or near Clarence Street | 94 |
| On or near Dolphin Street | 71 |
| On or near Bank Street | 58 |
| On or near East Street | 53 |
| On or near Beacon Walk | 51 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 51 |
| On or near William Street | 48 |
| On or near Herne Bay | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Heron 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 630 | 29.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 617 | 28.6% |
| Not recorded | 490 | 22.7% |
| Under investigation | 122 | 5.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 79 | 3.7% |
| Local resolution | 71 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 47 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 42 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 39 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
Heron has an estimated population of 15,552. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Heron sits in decile 4.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Heron |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.0% |
| Social rented homes | 9.7% |
| Private rented homes | 26.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.4 |
Is Heron a safe place to live?
Heron recorded 138.9 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 Heron?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 713 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (490).
Is crime in Heron going up or down?
Recorded crime in Heron was up 5% on the year before: 2,160 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,052 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Heron?
Heron 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 Heron. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.