Crime in Swanscombe: statistics, rates and trends

1,501 crimes were recorded in Swanscombe in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 473 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Swanscombe has the 425th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Swanscombe was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,338 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,497). 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 Swanscombe 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 criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, drugs.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+52%). The largest falls were in burglary (-40%) and violence and sexual offences (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Swanscombe

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Swanscombe recorded 473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Swanscombe

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Swanscombe recorded 281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 18.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Swanscombe

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Swanscombe recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 12.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Swanscombe

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Swanscombe recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Swanscombe

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Swanscombe recorded 110 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 down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Swanscombe

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Swanscombe recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Swanscombe

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Swanscombe recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Swanscombe

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Swanscombe recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Swanscombe

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Swanscombe recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Swanscombe

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Swanscombe recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Swanscombe

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Swanscombe recorded 36 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 157% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Swanscombe

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Swanscombe recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 240% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Swanscombe

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Swanscombe recorded 5 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 58% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Swanscombe

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Swanscombe recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Swanscombe, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Swanscombe had the highest rate (121.4 per 1,000) and Greenhithe & Knockhall the lowest (64.9). 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 Swanscombe over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Swanscombe 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.

Swanscombe has an estimated population of 15,948. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Swanscombe 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 Swanscombe. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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