Crime in Broadstairs: statistics, rates and trends

1,822 crimes were recorded in Broadstairs in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 685 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Broadstairs has the 724th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Broadstairs was highest in the year to July 2019 (2,854 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,822). Over the whole period it fell 26%, 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 Broadstairs 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 anti-social behaviour (+35%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-36%) and burglary (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Broadstairs

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Broadstairs recorded 685 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 37.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Broadstairs recorded 357 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 19.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Broadstairs

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Broadstairs recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Broadstairs

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Broadstairs recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Broadstairs

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Broadstairs recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Broadstairs

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Broadstairs recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Broadstairs

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Broadstairs recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Broadstairs

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Broadstairs recorded 56 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 down 36% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Broadstairs

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Broadstairs recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Broadstairs

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Broadstairs recorded 31 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 34% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Broadstairs

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Broadstairs recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Broadstairs

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Broadstairs recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Broadstairs

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Broadstairs recorded 12 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 down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Broadstairs

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Broadstairs recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Broadstairs, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bradstowe had the highest rate (105.1 per 1,000) and Kingsgate the lowest (39.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Broadstairs over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Broadstairs 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.

Broadstairs has an estimated population of 24,886. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Broadstairs sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. 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 Broadstairs. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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