Crime Rate in Watling: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watling

The total recorded crimes in Watling, Medway, UK in May 2025 are around 92 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watling crime rate of 2.34 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (36) incidents (28.57% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (19) incidents (46.15% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (12) incidents (9.09% increase)
Watling Crime Hotspots

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

  • Grosvenor Road with total crimes: 7
  • Park Avenue with total crimes: 7
  • Chester Road 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 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 May 2025 the Watling has recorded 92 crimes with crime rate of 1.43 ranking 12th 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)
Gillingham North330 23,301 23,273 1
River402 14,210 12,646 4
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
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

Watling Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 90 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20257
March 20253
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
November 20245
October 20247
September 20246
August 20248
July 20249
June 202416
May 202410

A total of 72 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.54 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20259
March 20258
February 20259
January 20256
December 20244
November 20245
October 20244
September 20242
August 20243
July 20249
June 20248
May 20242

A total of 160 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.31 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202511
March 202510
February 202512
January 202512
December 202412
November 202414
October 20247
September 202411
August 202412
July 20248
June 202422
May 202417

A total of 171 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202513
March 20259
February 20257
January 202512
December 20247
November 202411
October 20249
September 20245
August 202417
July 202415
June 202436
May 202411

A total of 6 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

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

A total of 8 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
February 20251
August 20242
May 20243

A total of 408 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 31.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202536
April 202528
March 202535
February 202530
January 202528
December 202427
November 202431
October 202418
September 202422
August 202424
July 202422
June 202466
May 202441

A total of 57 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.75 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

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

A total of 37 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.08 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 5 reported cases.

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

A total of 33 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20253
March 20254
January 20252
December 20241
November 20245
October 20242
September 20242
August 20241
July 20241
June 20246
May 20244

A total of 33 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

A total of 27 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20252
March 20252
January 20252
December 20241
November 20243
October 20241
September 20243
August 20243
July 20242
June 20244
May 20243

A total of 11 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.38 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

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

A total of 5 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 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 May 2025

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

1. Grosvenor Road (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting7
2. Park Avenue (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
3. Chester Road (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
4. Glanville Road (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
5. Park Avenue (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
Other crime1
6. Chester Road (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Watling Street (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour3
Other theft1
8. Rotary Gardens (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
9. Larkfield Avenue (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Other crime1
10. Yeoman Drive (Map)
Total3
Bicycle theft1
Possession of weapons1
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.