Crime in West Downs: statistics, rates and trends
245 crimes were recorded in West Downs in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 27% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Downs at a glance
- Crime trends in West Downs
- Types of crime in West Downs
- West Downs compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West Downs
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Downs
- Population and deprivation in West Downs
- Questions about crime in West Downs
- About this data
245 crimes were recorded in West Downs in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 27% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 80 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, West Downs has the 1,927th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Downs | Swale | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 245 | 15,724 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 77.9 | 99.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +27% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 3,144 | 158,379 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Downs was highest in the year to July 2026 (245 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (122). Over the whole period it rose 30%, 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 | 245 | 77.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 193 | 61.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 155 | 49.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 133 | 42.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 122 | 38.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 182 | 57.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 145 | 46.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 176 | 56.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 188 | 59.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 25 |
| June 2026 | 17 |
| May 2026 | 28 |
| April 2026 | 28 |
| March 2026 | 28 |
| February 2026 | 12 |
| January 2026 | 23 |
| December 2025 | 15 |
| November 2025 | 22 |
| October 2025 | 15 |
| September 2025 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 12 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Downs 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 shoplifting.
The largest falls were in burglary (-62%) and criminal damage and arson (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting | 80 | 25.4 | 3.07 | n/a |
| Violence and sexual offences | 56 | 17.8 | 0.52 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 34 | 10.8 | 0.70 | -21% |
| Other theft | 15 | 4.8 | 0.75 | -17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 14 | 4.5 | 0.66 | -30% |
| Vehicle crime | 12 | 3.8 | 0.77 | +33% |
| Burglary | 8 | 2.5 | 0.72 | -62% |
| Public order | 8 | 2.5 | 0.38 | +60% |
| Other crime | 7 | 2.2 | 1.05 | +17% |
| Robbery | 5 | 1.6 | 1.18 | +400% |
| Drugs | 3 | 1.0 | 0.29 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 1.0 | 0.98 | +50% |
Shoplifting in West Downs
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Downs recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 32.7% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in West Downs
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Downs recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 22.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Downs
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Downs recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 13.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Downs
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Downs recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Downs
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Downs recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Downs
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Downs recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Downs
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Downs recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Downs
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Downs recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Downs
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Downs recorded 7 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 up 17% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Downs
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Downs recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Downs
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Downs recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Downs
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Downs recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to West Downs, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Downs.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Downs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock | 306 | 46.4 | -40% |
| Roman | 1,622 | 210.5 | +170% |
| Homewood | 411 | 70.7 | -9% |
| Murston | 819 | 113.2 | +45% |
| Chalkwell | 509 | 125.6 | +61% |
| Borden and Grove Park | 345 | 56.8 | -27% |
| Milton Regis | 759 | 112.2 | +44% |
| The Meads | 346 | 61.8 | -21% |
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 West Downs over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Fox Hill | 139 |
| On or near The Street | 13 |
| On or near Lomas Road | 12 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 9 |
| On or near Hawks Hill Lane | 7 |
| On or near Stockers Hill | 7 |
| On or near Avent Walk | 5 |
| On or near Bashford Barn Lane | 5 |
| On or near St Laurence Close | 5 |
| On or near Hempstead Lane | 4 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Downs 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 | 104 | 42.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 45 | 18.4% |
| Not recorded | 34 | 13.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 31 | 12.7% |
| Under investigation | 16 | 6.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 4 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 1.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% |
West Downs has an estimated population of 3,144. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Downs sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Downs |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 80.7% |
| Social rented homes | 6.4% |
| Private rented homes | 12.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.0 |
Is West Downs a safe place to live?
West Downs recorded 77.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 West Downs?
Shoplifting was the most common category, with 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (56).
Is crime in West Downs going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Downs was up 27% on the year before: 245 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 193 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Downs?
West Downs 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 West Downs. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.