Crime Rate in River: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in River

The total recorded crimes in River, Medway, UK in July 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (125) incidents (37.36% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (100) incidents (17.65% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (29) incidents (7.41% increase)
River Crime Hotspots

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

  • High Street with total crimes: 22
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 20
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 18

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 July 2025 the River has recorded 402 crimes with crime rate of 3.64 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (River)CrimesRank (River)CrimesRank (River)
Gillingham North280 23,301 23,273 1
Gillingham South256 33,279 33,194 2
Chatham Central230 52,791 42,850 3
Luton and Wayfield254 42,449 52,399 5
Strood South170 62,336 62,107 6
Rochester West111 91,947 71,882 7
Rochester South and Horsted130 71,289 91,137 12
Strood North86 141,632 81,563 8
Twydall113 81,178 111,219 10
Rochester East91 131,170 121,226 9
Peninsula111 101,237 101,210 11
Watling103 111,036 141,036 13
Strood Rural101 121,067 13976 14
Rainham North71 17959 15902 15
Princes Park75 15788 16868 16
Rainham Central72 16643 19619 20
Rainham South60 18715 17725 17
Walderslade52 20679 18718 18
Lordswood and Capstone54 19557 20707 19
Hempstead and Wigmore41 21414 21365 21
Cuxton and Halling29 22391 22361 22

River Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 125 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 100 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (91 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (85 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 290 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 24.17 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202525
June 202525
May 202520
April 202524
March 202524
February 202515
January 202527
December 202420
November 202425
October 202424
September 202429
August 202432

A total of 763 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 63.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 100 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025100
June 202585
May 202582
April 202585
March 202565
February 202549
January 202549
December 202437
November 202458
October 202459
September 202449
August 202445

A total of 132 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 202514
May 202511
April 202511
March 20257
February 20258
January 202512
December 20247
November 202412
October 202414
September 202413
August 202415

A total of 210 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202516
June 202527
May 202516
April 20259
March 20256
February 202518
January 202522
December 202418
November 202420
October 202422
September 202416
August 202420

A total of 1401 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 116.75 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025125
June 202591
May 2025121
April 2025128
March 2025132
February 2025109
January 2025123
December 202497
November 2024136
October 2024106
September 2024106
August 2024127

A total of 134 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.17 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202510
June 202511
May 20258
April 20257
March 202513
February 20257
January 202510
December 202410
November 202414
October 202415
September 202414
August 202415

A total of 341 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.42 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202529
June 202527
May 202527
April 202528
March 202539
February 202526
January 202521
December 202425
November 202425
October 202430
September 202422
August 202442

A total of 161 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.42 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202519
June 202514
May 202514
April 202514
March 202513
February 202511
January 202512
December 202411
November 202415
October 202410
September 202416
August 202412

A total of 83 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202516
June 20257
May 20255
April 20259
March 202512
February 20255
January 20257
December 20243
November 20245
October 20243
September 20243
August 20248

A total of 91 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.58 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202510
June 20255
May 20253
April 20257
March 202511
February 20257
January 20257
December 20247
November 202410
October 20249
September 20248
August 20247

A total of 388 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 80 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202528
June 202530
May 202580
April 202539
March 202525
February 202530
January 202526
December 202433
November 202427
October 202425
September 202423
August 202422

A total of 48 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.00 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20258
May 20255
April 20253
March 20252
February 20253
January 20252
December 20243
November 20241
October 20245
September 20246
August 20245

A total of 57 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.75 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 8 reported cases.

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

A total of 56 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.67 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20253
May 20254
April 20258
March 20253
February 20254
January 20253
December 20241
November 20243
October 20243
September 20248
August 20249

High Crime Locations River in July 2025

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

1. High Street (Map)
Total22
Anti-social behaviour10
Violence and sexual offences5
Public order2
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Other theft1
Robbery1
Shoplifting1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total20
Violence and sexual offences7
Criminal damage and arson6
Theft from the person3
Bicycle theft2
Drugs1
Public order1
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour6
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
Theft from the person1
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting7
Violence and sexual offences5
Criminal damage and arson1
Other crime1
Public order1
Robbery1
5. Chelmar Road (Map)
Total14
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour4
Criminal damage and arson2
Drugs1
Other theft1
Possession of weapons1
6. Institute Road (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Drugs2
Other theft2
Vehicle crime2
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Waterfront Way (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Public order1
Theft from the person1
8. Supermarket (Map)
Total10
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences4
Other theft1
Shoplifting1
9. Meadowbank Road (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour2
Other crime1
Other theft1
Public order1
10. Cambridge Terrace (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour2
Drugs1
Public order1
Shoplifting1

  • 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.