Lowest-crime areas in Canterbury
Of Canterbury's 19 neighbourhoods, Chestfield & South Tankerton recorded the lowest crime rate, 39 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Canterbury Central & Westgate the highest, 306 crimes per 1,000 residents. 11 of 19 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Canterbury neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chestfield & South Tankertonaround CT5 3JQ | 39 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Blean Forest, Chartham Hatch & Universityaround CT2 7SU | 39 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Herne & Broomfieldaround CT6 7UG | 41 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Bridge, Bishopsbourne & Barhamaround CT4 5HP | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Beltinge & Bishopstonearound CT6 6PE | 47 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Hoath, Hersden & Littlebournearound CT3 4GW | 50 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Herne Bay South & Greenhillaround CT6 8QN | 73 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Whitstable Central & Tankertonaround CT5 1SB | 74 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Hampton, West End & Swalecliffearound CT6 8BT | 75 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Thanington & Charthamaround CT4 7TA | 80 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Seasalteraround CT5 3RH | 80 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | South Canterburyaround CT1 3AU | 100 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Canterbury St Stephen'saround CT2 7AD | 107 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Sturry and Fordwicharound CT2 0JE | 137 | Very high | Shoplifting |
| 15 | Canterbury Wincheaparound CT1 3TH | 148 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | Whitstable Westaround CT5 1DA | 155 | Very high | Shoplifting |
| 17 | Herne Bay Paradearound CT6 5BN | 191 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 18 | Canterbury Barracksaround CT1 1AA | 215 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 19 | Canterbury Central & Westgatearound CT2 8BD | 306 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Canterbury has the lowest crime rate?
Chestfield & South Tankerton had the lowest recorded crime rate in Canterbury from October 2025 to September 2026: 39 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Canterbury has the highest crime rate?
Canterbury Central & Westgate had the highest recorded crime rate in Canterbury from October 2025 to September 2026: 306 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.