Gravesham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Gravesham's crime profile in May 2023 reveals stark contrasts with national trends, particularly in drug-related offences, which were 186% above the UK average. The local authority district recorded a crime rate of 9.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 20% above the UK's overall average of 8.0. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 37% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 23%. These figures suggest a combination of social and environmental factors, potentially influenced by May's longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising. While property crimes (274 incidents) formed a significant portion of the total, the high share of violent crimes highlights a distinct pattern compared to other areas. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.8 per 1,000, but Gravesham's rate of 3.6 per 1,000 indicates a marked local challenge. Seasonal context may contribute to this, as warmer weather and bank holidays in May often correlate with higher levels of public drinking and informal gatherings, which could exacerbate conflicts. However, direct causation, and further analysis would be needed to explore the full range of contributing factors.

May 2023 saw notable shifts in Gravesham's crime mix, with burglary increasing by 25% (from 32 to 40 incidents), shoplifting rising by 22.2% (from 36 to 44), and 'other crime' climbing by 14.8% (from 27 to 31). These increases contrast with sharp declines in vehicle crime (down 37.3%) and criminal damage and arson (down 23.9%). The drug-related offences category stands out as an extreme outlier, with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000—186% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This divergence suggests a unique local issue that may warrant further investigation. The balance between violent and property crimes also shifted: while violent crimes (393) remained the largest category, property crimes (274) saw a smaller share of the total, indicating a potential shift in crime dynamics. Residents might find the 25% increase in burglaries particularly concerning, as this category rose sharply despite a national trend of declining property crime rates. The UK average for burglary is 0.3 per 1,000, but Gravesham's rate of 0.4 per 1,000 suggests a persistent local vulnerability that may be linked to specific housing or community factors.

Gravesham's crime rate in May 2023 remained stable compared to the previous month, rising by 0.9% from 9.5 to 9.6 per 1,000 residents. On a daily basis, the district experienced an average of 34 crimes per day, translating to one reported crime for roughly every 104 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents for local residents. With a population of 110,671, the 1062 total crimes reported in May equate to a rate that is significantly higher than the UK average, though the month-on-month stability suggests no immediate spikes in criminal activity. The comparison to national figures reveals stark disparities: for instance, anti-social behaviour in Gravesham was 65% above the UK average, while public order offences were 39% below. These variations may reflect local characteristics such as community density, policing strategies, or socioeconomic factors. The daily crime count and population-scaled perspective offer a practical lens for residents to assess their personal risk, though direct links to specific neighbourhoods or demographics. The stability in overall crime rates, despite shifts in individual categories, indicates a complex local picture that requires ongoing monitoring.