Crime in Maidstone: statistics, rates and trends

11,653 crimes were recorded in Maidstone in the 12 months to July 2026, 104.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,289 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Maidstone has the 308th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Maidstone was highest in the year to July 2020 (14,435 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (11,653). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 Maidstone 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, criminal damage and arson, drugs.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+22%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-24%) and burglary (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Maidstone

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Maidstone recorded 4,289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 36.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Maidstone

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Maidstone recorded 2,317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 19.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Maidstone

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Maidstone recorded 1,084 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Maidstone

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Maidstone recorded 1,010 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Maidstone

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Maidstone recorded 774 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Maidstone

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Maidstone recorded 501 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Maidstone

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Maidstone recorded 473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Maidstone

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Maidstone recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Maidstone

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Maidstone recorded 320 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 14% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Maidstone

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Maidstone recorded 224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Maidstone

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Maidstone recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Maidstone

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Maidstone recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Maidstone

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Maidstone recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Maidstone

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Maidstone recorded 54 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 24% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Maidstone, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. High Street had the highest rate (282.2 per 1,000) and Palace Wood the lowest (32.2). 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 Maidstone over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Maidstone 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.

Maidstone has an estimated population of 111,543. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Maidstone sits in decile 5.8, 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 Maidstone. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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