Crime in Westgate, Canterbury: statistics, rates and trends
3,308 crimes were recorded in Westgate, Canterbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 304.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Westgate, Canterbury at a glance
- Crime trends in Westgate, Canterbury
- Types of crime in Westgate, Canterbury
- Westgate, Canterbury compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Westgate, Canterbury
- What happened after crimes were reported in Westgate, Canterbury
- Population and deprivation in Westgate, Canterbury
- Questions about crime in Westgate, Canterbury
- About this data
3,308 crimes were recorded in Westgate, Canterbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 304.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 917 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Westgate, Canterbury has the 62nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Westgate, Canterbury | Canterbury | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,308 | 17,618 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 304.1 | 108.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 10,879 | 162,100 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Westgate, Canterbury was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,547 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (2,921). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 | 3,308 | 304.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,174 | 291.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,069 | 282.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,084 | 283.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,290 | 302.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,921 | 268.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,265 | 300.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,454 | 317.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,547 | 326.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 280 |
| June 2026 | 250 |
| May 2026 | 269 |
| April 2026 | 269 |
| March 2026 | 303 |
| February 2026 | 285 |
| January 2026 | 253 |
| December 2025 | 293 |
| November 2025 | 272 |
| October 2025 | 282 |
| September 2025 | 238 |
| August 2025 | 314 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Westgate, Canterbury 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 criminal damage and arson (+32%) and anti-social behaviour (+31%). The largest falls were in other crime (-52%) and theft from the person (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 917 | 84.3 | 2.46 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 684 | 62.9 | 4.10 | +31% |
| Shoplifting | 642 | 59.0 | 7.12 | +9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 266 | 24.5 | 3.61 | +32% |
| Other theft | 178 | 16.4 | 2.56 | +3% |
| Public order | 166 | 15.3 | 2.30 | -14% |
| Drugs | 155 | 14.2 | 4.36 | -16% |
| Vehicle crime | 58 | 5.3 | 1.08 | -31% |
| Robbery | 52 | 4.8 | 3.54 | +27% |
| Bicycle theft | 51 | 4.7 | 5.70 | +16% |
| Burglary | 47 | 4.3 | 1.22 | -11% |
| Theft from the person | 33 | 3.0 | 1.80 | -33% |
| Other crime | 30 | 2.8 | 1.31 | -52% |
| Possession of weapons | 29 | 2.7 | 2.75 | -26% |
Violence and sexual offences in Westgate, Canterbury
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 917 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (84.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 27.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Westgate, Canterbury
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 684 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (62.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 20.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Westgate, Canterbury
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 642 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (59.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Westgate, Canterbury
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 266 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Westgate, Canterbury
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Westgate, Canterbury
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Westgate, Canterbury
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Westgate, Canterbury
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Westgate, Canterbury
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Westgate, Canterbury
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Westgate, Canterbury
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Westgate, Canterbury
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Westgate, Canterbury
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Westgate, Canterbury
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Westgate, Canterbury recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Westgate, Canterbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Westgate, Canterbury.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Westgate, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wincheap | 1,290 | 113.9 | -63% |
| St Stephen's | 874 | 107.4 | -65% |
| Northgate | 2,027 | 245.2 | -19% |
| Barton | 1,932 | 153.5 | -50% |
| Blean Forest | 354 | 37.0 | -88% |
| Chartham & Stone Street | 489 | 63.6 | -79% |
| Sturry | 666 | 77.3 | -75% |
| Nailbourne | 151 | 36.0 | -88% |
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 Westgate, Canterbury over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 421 |
| On or near Butchery Lane | 220 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 216 |
| On or near St Dunstan'S Street | 191 |
| On or near Best Lane | 158 |
| On or near Burgate Lane | 133 |
| On or near St George'S Lane | 118 |
| On or near High Street | 97 |
| On or near Parking Area | 96 |
| On or near Rose Lane | 88 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Westgate, Canterbury 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 | 1,063 | 32.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 693 | 20.9% |
| Not recorded | 684 | 20.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 261 | 7.9% |
| Local resolution | 213 | 6.4% |
| Under investigation | 182 | 5.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 101 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 57 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 23 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 21 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Westgate, Canterbury has an estimated population of 10,879. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Westgate, Canterbury sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Westgate, Canterbury |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 71.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 40.9% |
| Social rented homes | 14.7% |
| Private rented homes | 44.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
Is Westgate, Canterbury a safe place to live?
Westgate, Canterbury recorded 304.1 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 Westgate, Canterbury?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 917 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (684).
Is crime in Westgate, Canterbury going up or down?
Recorded crime in Westgate, Canterbury was up 4% on the year before: 3,308 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,174 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Westgate, Canterbury?
Westgate, Canterbury 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 Westgate, Canterbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.