Gravesend Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

January 2026 saw Gravesend's crime rate reach 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. The area's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences (38.9% of total incidents), anti-social behaviour (14.3%), and other theft (11.2%). This pattern aligns with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower outdoor crime but higher incidents in confined spaces. Violence and sexual offences in Gravesend (3.4 per 1,000) exceeded the UK average by 36%, consistent with the built-up area's density and potential for interpersonal conflict in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, also 40% above the UK average, likely reflects the impact of colder weather on community interactions and the concentration of residential properties in the area. Other theft (1.0 per 1,000) was 117% above the UK average, potentially linked to the area's proximity to transport hubs or commercial zones that attract transient populations. These figures highlight a combination of local demographics and seasonal factors, requiring careful interpretation of the data without overreach into speculative explanations.

The most striking shift in January 2026 was the 600% increase in bicycle theft, rising from one incident to seven. This dramatic rise may be attributed to the post-holiday period, when demand for short-term bike rentals or thefts of unsecured bikes in colder weather could spike. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 57.7% (from 26 to 11 incidents), due to reduced parking activity in the area during January's shorter days. Anti-social behaviour also declined sharply by 40.2%, from 122 to 73 incidents, which may reflect the impact of colder weather on outdoor gatherings or increased policing efforts during the festive season. Gravesend's violence and sexual offences rate (3.4 per 1,000) was 36% above the UK average, while shoplifting (0.5 per 1,000) was 12% below the UK rate. This contrast underscores the area's unique challenges, with violent crime remaining a critical concern despite relative success in reducing theft from retail premises. For residents, the sharp increase in bicycle theft serves as a specific warning to secure bikes during the winter months, when visibility is low and potential offenders may exploit colder conditions.

Gravesend's crime rate in January 2026 (8.7 per 1,000) marked a 7.9% decline from the previous month's rate of 9.5 per 1,000, reflecting a modest but measurable reduction in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 16 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while locally relevant, cannot be directly compared to UK-wide averages due to the absence of national daily statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 114 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a population of 58,464. This rate, though higher than the UK average, must be contextualised within Gravesend's built-up area characteristics, where higher population density and urban infrastructure may naturally lead to more reported crimes. The 27.9% gap between Gravesend's rate and the UK average underscores the area's distinct challenges, particularly in violent crime categories. However, the month-on-month decrease suggests that local policing strategies or seasonal factors may have temporarily mitigated some aspects of the crime picture. For residents, the 1-in-114 monthly exposure figure provides a tangible measure of risk, though it should be interpreted alongside the broader context of the area's demographics and infrastructure.