Crime in Priory, Swale: statistics, rates and trends
386 crimes were recorded in Priory, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Priory, Swale at a glance
- Crime trends in Priory, Swale
- Types of crime in Priory, Swale
- Priory, Swale compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Priory, Swale
- What happened after crimes were reported in Priory, Swale
- Population and deprivation in Priory, Swale
- Questions about crime in Priory, Swale
- About this data
386 crimes were recorded in Priory, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 139 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Priory, Swale has the 957th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Priory, Swale | Swale | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 386 | 15,724 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 112.6 | 99.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -13% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 3,428 | 158,379 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Priory, Swale was highest in the year to July 2021 (525 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (312). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 386 | 112.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 442 | 128.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 312 | 91.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 315 | 91.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 361 | 105.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 525 | 153.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 412 | 120.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 369 | 107.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 431 | 125.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 33 |
| June 2026 | 33 |
| May 2026 | 25 |
| April 2026 | 30 |
| March 2026 | 18 |
| February 2026 | 19 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 36 |
| October 2025 | 46 |
| September 2025 | 47 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Priory, 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 criminal damage and arson (+38%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-35%) and violence and sexual offences (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 139 | 40.5 | 1.18 | -29% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 79 | 23.0 | 1.50 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 10.5 | 1.55 | +38% |
| Shoplifting | 33 | 9.6 | 1.16 | -35% |
| Public order | 23 | 6.7 | 1.01 | +21% |
| Other crime | 19 | 5.5 | 2.62 | +138% |
| Other theft | 18 | 5.3 | 0.82 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 4.4 | 0.89 | -21% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 2.0 | 2.48 | +75% |
| Burglary | 7 | 2.0 | 0.58 | -22% |
| Robbery | 6 | 1.8 | 1.30 | +100% |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.9 | 0.27 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.3 | 0.30 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Priory, Swale
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Priory, Swale recorded 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 36.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Priory, Swale
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Priory, Swale recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 20.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Priory, Swale
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Priory, Swale recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Priory, Swale
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Priory, Swale recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Priory, Swale
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Priory, Swale recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Priory, Swale
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Priory, Swale recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 138% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Priory, Swale
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Priory, Swale recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Priory, Swale
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Priory, Swale recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Priory, Swale
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Priory, Swale recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Priory, Swale
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Priory, Swale recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Priory, Swale
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Priory, Swale recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Priory, Swale
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Priory, Swale recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Priory, Swale
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Priory, Swale recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Priory, Swale, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Priory, Swale.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Priory, Swale |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Ann's | 458 | 85.3 | -24% |
| Watling | 393 | 58.3 | -48% |
| Abbey | 872 | 124.5 | +11% |
| Boughton and Courtenay | 260 | 43.7 | -61% |
| Teynham and Lynsted | 566 | 78.8 | -30% |
| Sheppey East | 1,224 | 161.1 | +43% |
| Murston | 819 | 113.2 | +1% |
| West Downs | 245 | 77.9 | -31% |
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 Priory, Swale over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 80 |
| On or near Broomfield Road | 30 |
| On or near Springhead Road | 24 |
| On or near Brook Road | 19 |
| On or near Stoving Lane | 18 |
| On or near Ham Road | 17 |
| On or near Sevenacre Road | 16 |
| On or near Fostall Road | 15 |
| On or near Reedland Crescent | 14 |
| On or near Windmill Lane | 13 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Priory, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 132 | 34.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 96 | 24.9% |
| Not recorded | 79 | 20.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 25 | 6.5% |
| Under investigation | 17 | 4.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 12 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
Priory, Swale has an estimated population of 3,428. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Priory, Swale sits in decile 4.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Priory, Swale |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.7% |
| Social rented homes | 29.6% |
| Private rented homes | 7.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 51.3% |
Is Priory, Swale a safe place to live?
Priory, Swale recorded 112.6 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 Priory, Swale?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (79).
Is crime in Priory, Swale going up or down?
Recorded crime in Priory, Swale was down 13% on the year before: 386 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 442 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Priory, Swale?
Priory, 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 Priory, Swale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.