Crime in Aylesham: statistics, rates and trends
487 crimes were recorded in Aylesham in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 25% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Aylesham at a glance
- Crime trends in Aylesham
- Types of crime in Aylesham
- Aylesham compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Aylesham
- Streets with the most crime in Aylesham
- What happened after crimes were reported in Aylesham
- Population and deprivation in Aylesham
- Questions about crime in Aylesham
- About this data
487 crimes were recorded in Aylesham in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 25% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 167 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Aylesham has the 692nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Aylesham | Dover | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 487 | 10,455 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 75.4 | 87.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +25% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 6,461 | 119,768 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Aylesham was highest in the year to July 2022 (491 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (360). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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 | 487 | 75.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 389 | 60.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 405 | 62.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 360 | 55.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 491 | 76.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 440 | 68.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 443 | 68.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 458 | 70.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 448 | 69.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 55 |
| June 2026 | 60 |
| May 2026 | 39 |
| April 2026 | 33 |
| March 2026 | 45 |
| February 2026 | 29 |
| January 2026 | 29 |
| December 2025 | 30 |
| November 2025 | 40 |
| October 2025 | 45 |
| September 2025 | 33 |
| August 2025 | 49 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Aylesham 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.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+180%) and criminal damage and arson (+43%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 167 | 25.8 | 0.75 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 126 | 19.5 | 1.27 | +180% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 50 | 7.7 | 1.14 | +43% |
| Shoplifting | 45 | 7.0 | 0.84 | -8% |
| Other theft | 26 | 4.0 | 0.63 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 2.3 | 0.47 | +15% |
| Public order | 13 | 2.0 | 0.30 | -13% |
| Burglary | 11 | 1.7 | 0.48 | -27% |
| Other crime | 11 | 1.7 | 0.81 | +0% |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.4 | 0.43 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 1.1 | 1.12 | +250% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.8 | 0.57 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.18 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Aylesham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Aylesham recorded 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Aylesham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Aylesham recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 180% on the year before. It made up 25.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Aylesham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Aylesham recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Aylesham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Aylesham recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Aylesham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Aylesham recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Aylesham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Aylesham recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Aylesham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Aylesham recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Aylesham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Aylesham recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Aylesham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Aylesham recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Aylesham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Aylesham recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Aylesham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Aylesham recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 250% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Aylesham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Aylesham recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Aylesham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Aylesham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 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 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Aylesham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Aylesham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Aylesham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitfield (Dover) | 448 | 68.2 | -10% |
| Canterbury | 9,687 | 167.3 | +122% |
| Dover | 5,535 | 150.3 | +99% |
| Hawkinge | 448 | 51.6 | -32% |
| Deal | 1,776 | 61.5 | -18% |
| Herne | 809 | 56.2 | -25% |
| Folkestone | 6,634 | 122.8 | +63% |
| Herne Bay | 2,530 | 102.8 | +36% |
1 areas within Aylesham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell had the highest rate (64.6 per 1,000) and Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell the lowest (64.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell | Neighbourhood | 12,945 | 836 | 64.6 |
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 Aylesham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 51 |
| On or near Church View | 32 |
| On or near Heritage Road | 30 |
| On or near Parking Area | 29 |
| On or near Bell Grove | 20 |
| On or near Attlee Avenue | 16 |
| On or near Queens Road | 16 |
| On or near Mexborough Square | 14 |
| On or near Windermere Gardens | 14 |
| On or near Burgess Road | 13 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Aylesham 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 | 160 | 32.9% |
| Not recorded | 126 | 25.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 123 | 25.3% |
| Under investigation | 21 | 4.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 13 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Aylesham has an estimated population of 6,461. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Aylesham sits in decile 4.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Aylesham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 25.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.1% |
| Social rented homes | 23.7% |
| Private rented homes | 8.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.0 |
Is Aylesham a safe place to live?
Aylesham recorded 75.4 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 Aylesham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (126).
Is crime in Aylesham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Aylesham was up 25% on the year before: 487 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 389 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Aylesham?
Aylesham 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 Aylesham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.