Lowest-crime areas in Swale
Of Swale's 17 neighbourhoods, Boughton & Selling recorded the lowest crime rate, 45 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Sheerness East the highest, 238 crimes per 1,000 residents. 11 of 17 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Swale neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boughton & Sellingaround ME13 9TB | 45 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Sittingbourne Westaround ME10 1LA | 48 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Newington, Halstow & Upchurcharound ME9 7PH | 61 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Iwade & Kemsleyaround ME10 2TH | 61 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Minster Northaround ME12 2SG | 62 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Sittingbourne South, Bapchild & Bredgararound ME10 4QT | 62 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Minster Southaround ME12 3JZ | 63 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Teynham & Badlesmerearound ME9 9QW | 70 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Faversham Westaround ME13 7SL | 74 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Sittingbourne Eastaround ME10 3AX | 93 | High | Anti-social behaviour |
| 11 | Borden & The Meadsaround ME10 5JL | 95 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Faversham Eastaround ME13 8EU | 100 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Queenborougharound ME11 5BP | 125 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Sheppey Eastaround ME12 4AT | 144 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Sheerness Westaround ME12 1DT | 188 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | Sittingbourne Central & Milton Regisaround ME10 3JR | 229 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 17 | Sheerness Eastaround ME12 2AT | 238 | 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 Swale has the lowest crime rate?
Boughton & Selling had the lowest recorded crime rate in Swale from October 2025 to September 2026: 45 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Swale has the highest crime rate?
Sheerness East had the highest recorded crime rate in Swale from October 2025 to September 2026: 238 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.