Crime in Sittingbourne: statistics, rates and trends

5,611 crimes were recorded in Sittingbourne in the 12 months to July 2026, 101.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 1,839 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Sittingbourne has the 338th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sittingbourne was highest in the year to July 2018 (7,698 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,611). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 Sittingbourne 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+20%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-43%) and public order (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sittingbourne

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sittingbourne recorded 1,839 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 32.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sittingbourne

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sittingbourne recorded 1,337 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 23.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sittingbourne

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sittingbourne recorded 651 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sittingbourne

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sittingbourne recorded 493 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sittingbourne

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sittingbourne recorded 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sittingbourne

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sittingbourne recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sittingbourne

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sittingbourne recorded 204 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sittingbourne

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sittingbourne recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sittingbourne

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sittingbourne recorded 137 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 down 1% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sittingbourne

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sittingbourne recorded 113 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 23% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sittingbourne

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sittingbourne recorded 59 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 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sittingbourne

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sittingbourne recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sittingbourne

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sittingbourne recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sittingbourne

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sittingbourne recorded 16 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 down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

10 areas within Sittingbourne, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Roman had the highest rate (210.5 per 1,000) and Woodstock the lowest (46.4). 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 Sittingbourne over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sittingbourne 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.

Sittingbourne has an estimated population of 55,303. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sittingbourne sits in decile 4.8, 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 Sittingbourne. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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