Crime Rate in Medway: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Medway

The total recorded crimes in Medway, UK in May 2025 are around 2,884 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Medway crime rate of 10.31 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Medway, encompassing approximately 279,773 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1082) incidents (10.63% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (541) incidents (7.55% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (271) incidents (13.87% increase)
Medway Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 39
  • Wharf Road with total crimes: 36
  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 36

Medway Police Info:

Kent Police

Medway Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, River (402 crimes), and the safest, Hempstead and Wigmore (27 crimes), is 375 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Medway.

Similarly, the area of Chatham Central and Rochester Riverside (423 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Broomhill (10 crimes), with a difference of 413 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Medway.

Most Dangerous Wards:

River402
Gillingham North330
Chatham Central256
Luton and Wayfield245
Gillingham South237

Safest Wards:

Walderslade60
Rainham South54
Lordswood and Capstone39
Cuxton and Halling27
Hempstead and Wigmore27

Most Dangerous Areas:

Chatham Central and Rochester Riverside423
Gillingham Central219
Chatham South West140
Strood South & Temple Marsh134
Gillingham North134

Safest Areas:

Parkwood East28
Hempstead & Wigmore27
Cuxton & Halling27
Parkwood West24
Broomhill10

Medway Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1082 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (541 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (978 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (503 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1101 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (438 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 964 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 296 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1015 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (247 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 982 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 275 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (995 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (303 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (924 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (374 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (950 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (375 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1107 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (482 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1132 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 427 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1394 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 126.73 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 157 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025149
April 2025129
March 2025109
February 2025106
January 2025117
December 2024108
November 2024123
October 2024132
September 2024124
August 2024157
July 2024140

A total of 931 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 84.64 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 101 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202596
April 202599
March 202582
February 202569
January 202595
December 202463
November 2024101
October 202482
September 202487
August 202497
July 202460

A total of 2564 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 233.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 288 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025253
April 2025245
March 2025253
February 2025214
January 2025202
December 2024219
November 2024186
October 2024260
September 2024214
August 2024288
July 2024230

A total of 1865 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 169.55 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 194 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025156
April 2025171
March 2025181
February 2025144
January 2025193
December 2024133
November 2024163
October 2024186
September 2024179
August 2024194
July 2024165

A total of 936 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 85.09 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 109 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202563
April 202591
March 202594
February 202572
January 2025109
December 202474
November 202473
October 202492
September 202472
August 202489
July 2024107

A total of 4261 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 387.36 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 541 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025541
April 2025503
March 2025438
February 2025296
January 2025247
December 2024275
November 2024303
October 2024374
September 2024375
August 2024482
July 2024427

A total of 11230 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1020.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251082
April 2025978
March 20251101
February 2025964
January 20251015
December 2024982
November 2024995
October 2024924
September 2024950
August 20241107
July 20241132

A total of 184 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 16.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202524
April 202520
March 202522
February 20257
January 202515
December 202411
November 202419
October 202418
September 202411
August 202423
July 202414

A total of 1265 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 115.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 148 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025112
April 2025109
March 202591
February 202590
January 2025124
December 2024148
November 2024107
October 2024132
September 2024102
August 2024111
July 2024139

A total of 170 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 15.45 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202516
March 202512
February 202510
January 202511
December 202410
November 20249
October 202420
September 202424
August 202427
July 202421

A total of 305 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 27.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202520
March 202531
February 202521
January 202529
December 202424
November 202426
October 202428
September 202427
August 202434
July 202431

A total of 781 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 71.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 97 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202559
April 202558
March 202557
February 202563
January 202573
December 202466
November 202468
October 202489
September 202497
August 202485
July 202466

A total of 211 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 19.18 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202523
March 202515
February 202515
January 202513
December 202414
November 202425
October 202417
September 202417
August 202417
July 202421

A total of 2263 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 205.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 271 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025271
April 2025238
March 2025227
February 2025204
January 2025189
December 2024190
November 2024198
October 2024180
September 2024193
August 2024199
July 2024174

High Crime Locations Medway in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Medway postcode area is presented below.

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total39
Shoplifting19
Violence and sexual offences9
Criminal damage and arson4
Theft from the person2
Robbery2
Public order2
Possession of weapons1
2. Wharf Road (Map)
Total36
Public order12
Violence and sexual offences9
Criminal damage and arson9
Drugs6
3. Petrol Station (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting34
Public order2
4. Barnfield (Map)
Total34
Anti-social behaviour34
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total28
Shoplifting23
Anti-social behaviour3
Robbery1
Bicycle theft1
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total26
Shoplifting14
Public order3
Anti-social behaviour3
Robbery2
Other theft2
Possession of weapons1
Bicycle theft1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.