Crime Rate in River: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in River

The total recorded crimes in River, Medway, UK in May 2025 are around 402 as per the recent police data. This equates to a River crime rate of 7.57 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 River, encompassing approximately 53,084 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (121) incidents (-5.47% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (82) incidents (-3.53% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (80) incidents (105.13% increase)
River Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 31
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 27
  • Corys Road with total crimes: 19

How safe is River?

To understand the safety of River, we need to analyze River crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Medway:

    • In 2024, River reported a higher crime volume than the Medway average, with 4,210 crimes compared to 1,549. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, River witnessed more crimes than 21 out of 21 other areas in the Medway.

    • In 2023, River experienced a greater number of crimes than the Medway average, with 2,646 crimes compared to 1,454. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, River witnessed more crimes than 18 out of 21 other areas in the Medway.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Medway, River has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

River Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the River has recorded 402 crimes with crime rate of 3.45 ranking 1th out of 21 in the Medway, UK

In 2024, the total River crimes were 4,210. The crime rate of River in 2024 was 79.31 (year) or 6.61 (month) ranking it 1 dangerous area in the Medway.

In 2023, the total crimes in River were around 2,646 crimes with yearly crime rate of 49.84 (year) or 4.15 (month) ranking 4 most dangerous area in the Medway.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (River)CrimesRank (River)CrimesRank (River)
Gillingham North330 23,301 23,273 1
Gillingham South237 53,279 33,194 2
Chatham Central256 32,791 42,850 3
Luton and Wayfield245 42,449 52,399 5
Strood South186 62,336 62,107 6
Rochester West128 71,947 71,882 7
Strood North88 131,632 81,563 8
Rochester South and Horsted121 81,289 91,137 12
Rochester East77 141,170 121,226 9
Twydall108 91,178 111,219 10
Peninsula98 101,237 101,210 11
Strood Rural95 111,067 13976 14
Watling92 121,036 141,036 13
Rainham North70 16959 15902 15
Rainham Central75 15643 19619 20
Princes Park69 17788 16868 16
Rainham South54 19715 17725 17
Walderslade60 18679 18718 18
Lordswood and Capstone39 20557 20707 19
Hempstead and Wigmore27 22414 21365 21
Cuxton and Halling27 21391 22361 22

River Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (121 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (82 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (128 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (85 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (132 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (65 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 109 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 49 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (123 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (49 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 97 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 37 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (136 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (58 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (106 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (59 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (106 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (49 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (127 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (45 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 114 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 59 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (258 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (132 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (129 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (57 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 389 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 29.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202528
March 202539
February 202526
January 202521
December 202425
November 202425
October 202430
September 202422
August 202442
July 202426
June 202456
May 202422

A total of 826 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 63.54 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202582
April 202585
March 202565
February 202549
January 202549
December 202437
November 202458
October 202459
September 202449
August 202445
July 202459
June 2024132
May 202457

A total of 1686 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 129.69 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 258 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025121
April 2025128
March 2025132
February 2025109
January 2025123
December 202497
November 2024136
October 2024106
September 2024106
August 2024127
July 2024114
June 2024258
May 2024129

A total of 103 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20257
March 202511
February 20257
January 20257
December 20247
November 202410
October 20249
September 20248
August 20247
July 20244
June 202416
May 20247

A total of 323 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 24.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202520
April 202524
March 202524
February 202515
January 202527
December 202420
November 202425
October 202424
September 202429
August 202432
July 202419
June 202440
May 202424

A total of 149 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 11.46 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202514
March 202513
February 202511
January 202512
December 202411
November 202415
October 202410
September 202416
August 202412
July 20245
June 202412
May 20244

A total of 154 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 11.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202511
March 20257
February 20258
January 202512
December 20247
November 202412
October 202414
September 202413
August 202415
July 20244
June 202424
May 202416

A total of 245 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 18.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 20259
March 20256
February 202518
January 202522
December 202418
November 202420
October 202422
September 202416
August 202420
July 202419
June 202432
May 202427

A total of 433 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 33.31 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 80 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202580
April 202539
March 202525
February 202530
January 202526
December 202433
November 202427
October 202425
September 202423
August 202422
July 202424
June 202462
May 202417

A total of 61 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.69 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20258
March 20253
February 20254
January 20253
December 20241
November 20243
October 20243
September 20248
August 20249
July 20246
June 20246
May 20243

A total of 75 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.77 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20259
March 202512
February 20255
January 20257
December 20243
November 20245
October 20243
September 20243
August 20248
July 20244
June 20244
May 20247

A total of 147 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 11.31 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20257
March 202513
February 20257
January 202510
December 202410
November 202414
October 202415
September 202414
August 202415
July 202414
June 202416
May 20244

A total of 60 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.62 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20252
March 20254
February 20254
January 20253
December 20244
November 20244
October 20247
September 20245
August 20248
July 20247
June 20242
May 20244

A total of 59 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.54 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20253
March 20252
February 20253
January 20252
December 20243
November 20241
October 20245
September 20246
August 20245
July 202410
June 20248
May 20246

High Crime Locations River in May 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total31
Shoplifting23
Anti-social behaviour3
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Robbery1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting25
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
3. Corys Road (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting17
Anti-social behaviour1
Public order1
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total17
Anti-social behaviour6
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order2
Bicycle theft1
Drugs1
Other theft1
5. Chelmar Road (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour5
Other theft2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other crime1
6. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson2
Theft from the person1
7. Parking Area (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
8. Institute Road (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour2
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
9. Belvedere Road (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Burglary1
Vehicle crime1
10. High Street (Map)
Total10
Anti-social behaviour9
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.