Crime Rate in Watling: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watling

The total recorded crimes in Watling, Swale, UK in May 2025 are around 43 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watling crime rate of 1.10 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: (11) incidents (-8.33% decrease)
  • Vehicle crime: (7) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (7) incidents (-30.00% decrease)
Watling Crime Hotspots

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

  • Bensted Grove with total crimes: 4
  • A251 with total crimes: 3
  • Sumpter Way with total crimes: 3

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 Swale:

    • In 2024, Watling demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Swale average, with 563 crimes compared to 742.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Watling witnessed more crimes than 13 out of 23 other areas in the Swale.

    • In 2023, Watling had fewer crimes than the Swale average, with 532 crimes compared to 695. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Furthermore, Watling witnessed more crimes than 12 out of 23 other areas in the Swale.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Swale, 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 43 crimes with crime rate of 1.43 ranking 15th out of 23 in the Swale, UK

In 2024, the total Watling crimes were 563. The crime rate of Watling in 2024 was 26.40 (year) or 2.20 (month) ranking it 11 dangerous area in the Swale.

In 2023, the total crimes in Watling were around 532 crimes with yearly crime rate of 26.40 (year) or 2.20 (month) ranking 12 most dangerous area in the Swale.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)CrimesRank (Watling)
Sheerness250 13,076 12,788 1
Roman160 21,972 22,198 2
Queenborough and Halfway90 51,003 4999 3
Sheppey East111 41,457 3888 5
Milton Regis118 3841 6910 4
Murston89 6866 5885 6
Abbey79 7795 8876 7
Sheppey Central57 10809 7600 10
Chalkwell54 11726 9845 8
Minster Cliffs66 8561 12439 13
Homewood60 9677 10668 9
Teynham and Lynsted47 12474 15558 11
The Meads36 18547 13351 17
Borden and Grove Park46 13522 14417 15
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch43 14460 16421 14
Kemsley36 17447 17391 16
Priory42 16388 18306 22
Woodstock33 19298 21340 18
Boughton and Courtenay29 21385 19334 19
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow22 22266 22332 20
St Ann's31 20369 20326 21
West Downs10 23173 23149 23
East Downs8 24137 24134 24

Watling Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (11 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (7 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (12 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (10 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (16 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (8 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 17 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 14 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (8 reports) and Other theft incidents were also notably high (7 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 25 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (11 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (8 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (15 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (11 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (10 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (9 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (10 incidents) and then Criminal damage and arson showed a substantial number of incidents (9 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 17 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 10 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (30 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (18 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (17 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (10 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 11 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.22 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20252
March 20251
January 20251
December 20241
September 20242
August 20241
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 36 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
March 20251
February 20251
January 20252
December 20241
November 20245
September 20241
August 20243
July 20242
June 20246
May 20247

A total of 63 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.85 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20254
March 20254
February 20254
January 20254
December 20242
November 20244
October 20246
September 20243
August 20249
July 20244
June 20246
May 20247

A total of 8 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20251
January 20251
October 20241
August 20242

A total of 191 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 14.69 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202512
March 202516
February 202514
January 20256
December 202425
November 202411
October 202415
September 20249
August 20248
July 202417
June 202430
May 202417

A total of 31 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.82 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
February 20251
December 20241
November 20243
October 20243
September 20241
August 20244
July 20244
June 20248
May 20244

A total of 133 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 10.23 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 202510
March 20258
February 202517
January 20258
December 20246
November 20248
October 202411
September 202410
August 202410
July 202410
June 202418
May 202410

A total of 42 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.23 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20255
March 20251
February 20252
January 20257
December 20242
November 20243
October 20243
September 20245
August 20241
July 20243
June 20242
May 20245

A total of 24 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.18 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
March 20251
February 20251
December 20241
November 20243
October 20242
September 20241
August 20242
July 20241
June 20244
May 20246

A total of 25 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.78 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20255
February 20252
November 20242
September 20246
August 20241
July 20243
May 20243

A total of 4 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
December 20241
November 20241
July 20241

A total of 15 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20252
February 20251
January 20252
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
June 20244
May 20241

A total of 3 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
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. Bensted Grove (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
2. A251 (Map)
Total3
Vehicle crime3
3. Sumpter Way (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Bicycle theft1
4. Hilton Close (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Westwood Place (Map)
Total3
Other crime1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Costard Drive (Map)
Total2
Drugs1
Vehicle crime1
7. Tettenhall Way (Map)
Total2
Vehicle crime2
8. Beaumont Davy Close (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Possession of weapons1
9. Sheerways (Map)
Total2
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
10. Wallers Road (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2

  • 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.