Crime Rate in Watling: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watling

The total recorded crimes in Watling, Medway, UK in July 2025 are around 103 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watling crime rate of 2.62 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (31) incidents (24.00% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (15) incidents (36.36% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (14) incidents (250.00% increase)
Watling Crime Hotspots

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

  • Glanville Road with total crimes: 9
  • Park Avenue with total crimes: 7
  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 5

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 areas in the Medway.

    • 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 areas in the Medway.

  • 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 July 2025 the Watling has recorded 103 crimes with crime rate of 1.58 ranking 11th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)
Gillingham North280 23,301 23,273 1
River402 14,210 12,646 4
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
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

Watling 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 31 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 15 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (25 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (11 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (36 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (19 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (28 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (13 incidents) also being high.

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 135 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202511
May 202519
April 202513
March 20259
February 20257
January 202512
December 20247
November 202411
October 20249
September 20245
August 202417

A total of 61 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.55 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
May 20253
April 20259
March 20258
February 20259
January 20256
December 20244
November 20245
October 20244
September 20242
August 20243

A total of 126 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20255
May 202512
April 202511
March 202510
February 202512
January 202512
December 202412
November 202414
October 20247
September 202411
August 202412

A total of 3 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
March 20251
September 20241

A total of 6 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20251
March 20251
February 20251
December 20241
August 20241

A total of 335 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 27.92 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202531
June 202525
May 202536
April 202528
March 202535
February 202530
January 202528
December 202427
November 202431
October 202418
September 202422
August 202424

A total of 60 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20252
May 20259
April 20257
March 20253
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
November 20245
October 20247
September 20246
August 20248

A total of 44 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 20254
May 20252
April 20251
March 20253
February 20252
January 20251
December 20244
October 20244
September 20245
August 20244

A total of 48 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.36 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

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

A total of 23 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.09 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20251
May 20251
April 20252
March 20252
January 20252
December 20241
November 20243
October 20241
September 20243
August 20243

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20251
March 20251
February 20251
August 20242

A total of 33 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20253
May 20251
April 20253
March 20256
February 20252
January 20253
December 20241
October 20242
September 20243
August 20246

A total of 31 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.82 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20252
May 20252
April 20253
March 20254
January 20252
December 20241
November 20245
October 20242
September 20242
August 20241

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

MonthCount
July 20252
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
November 20241
September 20241
August 20242

High Crime Locations Watling in July 2025

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

1. Glanville Road (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour1
Other crime1
2. Park Avenue (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
Drugs1
Other crime1
Robbery1
3. Petrol Station (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour1
Drugs1
Other crime1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
4. Chester Road (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences2
Burglary1
Public order1
Vehicle crime1
5. Watling Street (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime1
6. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Third Avenue (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Vehicle crime1
8. Fourth Avenue (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Louisville Avenue (Map)
Total4
Vehicle crime2
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Shopping Area (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Theft from the person1

  • 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.