Crime in Roman, Swale: statistics, rates and trends
1,622 crimes were recorded in Roman, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 210.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Roman, Swale at a glance
- Crime trends in Roman, Swale
- Types of crime in Roman, Swale
- Roman, Swale compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Roman, Swale
- What happened after crimes were reported in Roman, Swale
- Population and deprivation in Roman, Swale
- Questions about crime in Roman, Swale
- About this data
1,622 crimes were recorded in Roman, Swale in the 12 months to July 2026, 210.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 476 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Roman, Swale has the 174th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Roman, Swale | Swale | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,622 | 15,724 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 210.5 | 99.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 7,704 | 158,379 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Roman, Swale was highest in the year to July 2023 (2,176 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,523). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 | 1,622 | 210.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,747 | 226.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,895 | 246.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,176 | 282.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,935 | 251.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,523 | 197.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,767 | 229.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,823 | 236.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,862 | 241.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 125 |
| June 2026 | 126 |
| May 2026 | 159 |
| April 2026 | 142 |
| March 2026 | 142 |
| February 2026 | 142 |
| January 2026 | 128 |
| December 2025 | 133 |
| November 2025 | 143 |
| October 2025 | 111 |
| September 2025 | 129 |
| August 2025 | 142 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Roman, 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in drugs (+57%) and vehicle crime (+33%). The largest falls were in other crime (-49%) and burglary (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 476 | 61.8 | 1.80 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 462 | 60.0 | 3.91 | +10% |
| Shoplifting | 247 | 32.1 | 3.87 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 117 | 15.2 | 2.24 | -17% |
| Public order | 76 | 9.9 | 1.48 | -20% |
| Other theft | 68 | 8.8 | 1.38 | +10% |
| Drugs | 47 | 6.1 | 1.87 | +57% |
| Vehicle crime | 36 | 4.7 | 0.95 | +33% |
| Other crime | 22 | 2.9 | 1.35 | -49% |
| Burglary | 20 | 2.6 | 0.73 | -20% |
| Robbery | 15 | 1.9 | 1.44 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 1.7 | 1.74 | -32% |
| Theft from the person | 12 | 1.6 | 0.92 | -14% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 1.4 | 1.73 | +10% |
Violence and sexual offences in Roman, Swale
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Roman, Swale recorded 476 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (61.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 29.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Roman, Swale
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Roman, Swale recorded 462 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (60.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 28.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Roman, Swale
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Roman, Swale recorded 247 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 15.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Roman, Swale
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Roman, Swale recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Roman, Swale
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Roman, Swale recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Roman, Swale
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Roman, Swale recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Roman, Swale
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Roman, Swale recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Roman, Swale
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Roman, Swale recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Roman, Swale
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Roman, Swale recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Roman, Swale
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Roman, Swale recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Roman, Swale
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Roman, Swale recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Roman, Swale
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Roman, Swale recorded 13 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 down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Roman, Swale
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Roman, Swale recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Roman, Swale
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Roman, Swale recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Roman, Swale, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Roman, Swale.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Roman, Swale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murston | 819 | 113.2 | -46% |
| Woodstock | 306 | 46.4 | -78% |
| Homewood | 411 | 70.7 | -66% |
| West Downs | 245 | 77.9 | -63% |
| Chalkwell | 509 | 125.6 | -40% |
| Milton Regis | 759 | 112.2 | -47% |
| Borden and Grove Park | 345 | 56.8 | -73% |
| The Meads | 346 | 61.8 | -71% |
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 Roman, Swale over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 497 |
| On or near The Butts | 80 |
| On or near Supermarket | 79 |
| On or near Station Street | 76 |
| On or near High Street | 67 |
| On or near Police Station | 62 |
| On or near Roman Square | 59 |
| On or near Pembury Street | 57 |
| On or near Goodnestone Road | 53 |
| On or near Fountain Street | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Roman, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 462 | 28.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 426 | 26.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 350 | 21.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 120 | 7.4% |
| Under investigation | 78 | 4.8% |
| Local resolution | 56 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 50 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 32 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Roman, Swale has an estimated population of 7,704. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Roman, Swale sits in decile 2.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Roman, Swale |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 55.7% |
| Social rented homes | 17.9% |
| Private rented homes | 26.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.7 |
Is Roman, Swale a safe place to live?
Roman, Swale recorded 210.5 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 Roman, Swale?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 476 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (462).
Is crime in Roman, Swale going up or down?
Recorded crime in Roman, Swale was down 7% on the year before: 1,622 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,747 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Roman, Swale?
Roman, 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 Roman, Swale. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.