Crime in Upper Kent: statistics, rates and trends

151 crimes were recorded in Upper Kent in the 12 months to July 2026, 36.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 57 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Upper Kent has the 3,571st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Upper Kent was highest in the year to July 2022 (185 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (101). Over the whole period it rose 50%, 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 Upper Kent 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. The largest increases were in other theft (+27%). The largest falls were in violence and sexual offences (-11%).

Violence and sexual offences in Upper Kent

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Upper Kent recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 37.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Upper Kent

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Upper Kent recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 18.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Upper Kent

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Upper Kent recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Upper Kent

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Upper Kent recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 250% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Upper Kent

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Upper Kent recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Upper Kent

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Upper Kent recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Upper Kent

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Upper Kent recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Upper Kent

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Upper Kent recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Upper Kent

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Upper Kent recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Upper Kent

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Upper Kent recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Upper Kent

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Upper Kent recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Upper Kent

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Upper Kent recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Upper Kent over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Upper Kent 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.

Upper Kent has an estimated population of 4,127. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Upper Kent sits in decile 6.5, less 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 Upper Kent. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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