Crime in Sheerness: statistics, rates and trends

2,818 crimes were recorded in Sheerness in the 12 months to July 2026, 208.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,001 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Sheerness has the 9th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sheerness was highest in the year to July 2020 (3,234 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,627). Over the whole period it fell 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sheerness 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, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+72%) and drugs (+58%). The largest falls were in other crime (-20%) and vehicle crime (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sheerness

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sheerness recorded 1,001 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (74.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 35.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sheerness

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sheerness recorded 654 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 23.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sheerness

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sheerness recorded 293 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sheerness

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sheerness recorded 291 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 72% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sheerness

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sheerness recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sheerness

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sheerness recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sheerness

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sheerness recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sheerness

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sheerness recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sheerness

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sheerness recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sheerness

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sheerness recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sheerness

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sheerness recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sheerness

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sheerness recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sheerness

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sheerness recorded 7 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 59% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sheerness

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sheerness recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

1 areas within Sheerness, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Sheerness had the highest rate (208.8 per 1,000) and Sheerness the lowest (208.8). 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 Sheerness over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sheerness 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.

Sheerness has an estimated population of 13,496. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sheerness sits in decile 1.0, more deprived than average. 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 Sheerness. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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