Crime Rate in Watling: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watling

The total recorded crimes in Watling, Medway, UK in March 2025 are around 88 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watling crime rate of 2.24 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 Watling, encompassing approximately 39,240 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (35) incidents (16.67% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (10) incidents (-16.67% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (9) incidents (28.57% increase)
Watling Crime Hotspots

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

  • Larkfield Avenue with total crimes: 9
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 8
  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 6

How safe is Watling?

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

  • Relative to Medway:

    • In 2024, Watling demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Medway average, with 1036 crimes compared to 1549.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Watling recorded fewer crimes than 13 out of 21 other cities.

    • In 2023, Watling had fewer crimes than the Medway average, with 1,036 crimes compared to 1,454. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Watling recorded fewer crimes than 12 out of 21 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Medway, Watling has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

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

Watling Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Watling has recorded 88 crimes with crime rate of 1.04 ranking 13th out of 21 in the Medway, UK

In 2024, the total Watling crimes were 1,036. The crime rate of Watling in 2024 was 26.40 (year) or 2.20 (month) ranking it 14 dangerous area in the Medway.

In 2023, the total crimes in Watling were around 1,036 crimes with yearly crime rate of 26.40 (year) or 2.20 (month) ranking 13 most dangerous area in the Medway.

AreaMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Medway)CrimesRank (Medway)CrimesRank (Medway)
Gillingham North264 23,301 23,273 1
River356 14,210 12,646 4
Gillingham South218 43,279 33,194 2
Chatham Central193 52,791 42,850 3
Luton and Wayfield244 32,449 52,399 5
Strood South185 62,336 62,107 6
Rochester West137 71,947 71,882 7
Strood North126 81,632 81,563 8
Rochester East87 141,170 121,226 9
Rochester South and Horsted111 91,289 91,137 12
Twydall96 121,178 111,219 10
Peninsula107 111,237 101,210 11
Strood Rural109 101,067 13976 14
Rainham North64 16959 15902 15
Walderslade66 15679 18718 18
Princes Park64 17788 16868 16
Rainham South39 21715 17725 17
Hempstead and Wigmore46 18414 21365 21
Lordswood and Capstone45 19557 20707 19
Rainham Central45 20643 19619 20
Cuxton and Halling23 22391 22361 22

Watling Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (35 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (10 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 30 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 12 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (28 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (12 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 27 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 12 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (31 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (14 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (18 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (9 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (22 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (11 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (24 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (17 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 22 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 15 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (66 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (36 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (41 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (17 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (42 incidents) were the most common in April 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (14 incidents) also being high.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 153 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20259
February 20257
January 202512
December 20247
November 202411
October 20249
September 20245
August 202417
July 202415
June 202436
May 202411
April 202414

A total of 67 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.58 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20258
February 20259
January 20256
December 20244
November 20245
October 20244
September 20242
August 20243
July 20249
June 20248
May 20242
April 20247

A total of 5 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20251
December 20241
August 20241
July 20241

A total of 147 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202510
February 202512
January 202512
December 202412
November 202414
October 20247
September 202411
August 202412
July 20248
June 202422
May 202417
April 202410

A total of 386 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202535
February 202530
January 202528
December 202427
November 202431
October 202418
September 202422
August 202424
July 202422
June 202466
May 202441
April 202442

A total of 84 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
November 20245
October 20247
September 20246
August 20248
July 20249
June 202416
May 202410
April 202410

A total of 27 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.45 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20252
January 20252
December 20241
November 20243
October 20241
September 20243
August 20243
July 20242
June 20244
May 20243
April 20243

A total of 51 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.64 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20253
January 20255
December 20248
November 20248
September 20243
August 20242
July 20245
June 20244
May 20248
April 20242

A total of 10 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.43 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20252
February 20251
November 20241
September 20241
August 20242
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 29 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.22 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20256
February 20252
January 20253
December 20241
October 20242
September 20243
August 20246
July 20243
May 20243

A total of 30 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.73 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
January 20252
December 20241
November 20245
October 20242
September 20242
August 20241
July 20241
June 20246
May 20244
April 20242

A total of 37 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.36 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20252
January 20251
December 20244
October 20244
September 20245
August 20244
July 20242
June 20244
May 20245
April 20243

A total of 7 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20251
August 20242
May 20243

A total of 5 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
September 20241
July 20241
June 20242

High Crime Locations Watling in March 2025

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

1. Larkfield Avenue (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences9
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting6
Bicycle theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Petrol Station (Map)
Total6
Drugs3
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Sturdee Avenue (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting1
5. Glanville Road (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
Drugs1
6. Rotary Gardens (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Drugs1
Other crime1
7. Barnsole Road (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
8. Chester Road (Map)
Total4
Other crime2
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
9. Supermarket (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Criminal damage and arson1
10. Coulman Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Other 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.