Crime in Canterbury: statistics, rates and trends

9,687 crimes were recorded in Canterbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 167.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,082 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Canterbury has the 32nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Canterbury was highest in the year to July 2021 (9,989 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (9,096). Over the whole period it fell 2%, 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 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 anti-social behaviour (+41%) and robbery (+30%). The largest falls were in burglary (-17%) and possession of weapons (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Canterbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Canterbury recorded 3,082 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Canterbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Canterbury recorded 1,847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Canterbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Canterbury recorded 1,507 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 15.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Canterbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Canterbury recorded 837 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Canterbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Canterbury recorded 606 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Canterbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Canterbury recorded 394 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Canterbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Canterbury recorded 382 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Canterbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Canterbury recorded 278 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Canterbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Canterbury recorded 176 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Canterbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Canterbury recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Canterbury

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Canterbury recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Canterbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Canterbury recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Canterbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Canterbury recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Canterbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Canterbury recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Canterbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Westgate had the highest rate (304.1 per 1,000) and Blean Forest the lowest (37.0). 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 Canterbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in 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.

Canterbury has an estimated population of 57,896. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Canterbury sits in decile 5.1, 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 Canterbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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