Meopham Crime Rate

Meopham is a highly secure urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 41.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This exceptional performance is reflected in its safety score of 90/100, placing it well above the national benchmark of 78/100. Recent data indicates a very positive trend for the area, with recorded crime decreasing by 26.3% year-over-year. This substantial reduction suggests a strengthening of local security and community safety. As a smaller built-up area within the Gravesham local authority, Meopham offers a tranquil residential environment where crime levels are notably suppressed compared to more densely populated regional hubs. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, temporal patterns, and local safety comparisons.

Crime Breakdown in Meopham

The crime landscape in Meopham is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.0% of all recorded incidents (60 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.9% and burglary at 9.9%. While these figures provide a snapshot of local activity, it is the property crime rate that often concerns homeowners most.

In Meopham, property-related crime—which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—stands at 16.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting a lower risk environment for property owners. Specifically, burglary accounts for 18 incidents, while vehicle crime and other theft types contribute 13 and 14 incidents respectively. For residents, this means that while the area is statistically safe, maintaining vigilance regarding home and vehicle security remains a practical necessity to deter opportunistic theft.

Crime Trends in Meopham

The long-term trend for Meopham is exceptionally positive, with total recorded crime decreasing by 26.3% year-over-year. This significant drop indicates that the area is becoming safer over time, outperforming many other parts of Kent. Analysis of the monthly trendData reveals some fluctuations throughout the year; crime rates remained consistently low during the winter of 2024, with November recording just 1.6 crimes per 1,000 people.

Activity saw a steady increase through the spring and summer of 2025, reaching a peak of 5.1 in October 2025. Other notable spikes occurred in June (4.4) and January (4.1). Despite these seasonal variations, the overall trajectory is one of decline. For residents, this downward trend, combined with a high safety score, suggests a stable and improving security environment. The consistent reduction in crime types across the board highlights the effectiveness of local policing and community-led safety initiatives in Meopham.

How To Keep Safe in Meopham

The most prevalent crime type in Meopham is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 33.0% of local incidents. While these figures are low in absolute terms, staying safe requires a combination of personal awareness and community vigilance.

1. Personal Safety Apps: When walking alone, especially during the darker winter months, use personal safety apps that allow friends or family to track your journey in real-time.
2. Improve Boundary Lighting: Many incidents occur in poorly lit areas. Ensure your property's perimeter and any public walkways adjacent to your home are well-lit with motion-activated lighting to deter unwanted loitering.
3. Stay Aware of Surroundings: When using public transport or walking through the village, avoid using headphones or being distracted by your phone, as high situational awareness is the best deterrent against personal crime.
4. Community Watch: Engage with local neighbourhood watch schemes. In smaller communities like Meopham, reporting suspicious behaviour early can prevent incidents from escalating.
5. Secure Entry Points: Ensure all gates and side entrances to your property are kept locked, as this prevents easy access for those looking for opportunistic targets.

Time Patterns of Crime in Meopham

Crime in Meopham follows distinct temporal patterns that are highly relevant to resident safety. Property-related crimes, particularly burglary, show a notable peak during the afternoon hours (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 35% of such incidents. This suggests that opportunistic intruders may be targeting homes when they appear unoccupied during the workday. In contrast, vehicle crime becomes more prevalent under the cover of darkness, with 38% of incidents occurring during the night (12am - 6am).

Interestingly, theft-related offences are most frequent during the morning (39%) and afternoon (38%), likely coinciding with increased activity around local shops and transport links. Overall crime intensity tends to peak during the late evening and weekend nights, following broader UK trends where social activity and anti-social behaviour often intersect. Monthly data shows that October 2025 was the highest period for crime intensity, while the winter months of November and February saw the lowest activity levels. For residents, this highlights the importance of securing property during the day and ensuring vehicles are protected overnight.

When comparing Meopham to similar nearby areas, it stands out as one of the safer locations in the region. Its crime rate of 41.8 per 1,000 people is virtually identical to Culverstone Green (41.2), yet it is notably more secure than Sole Street (59.6) and the combined area of Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley (62.9). For those seeking the absolute lowest crime figures, the small hamlet of Harvel reports a 0.0 crime rate, though this reflects a much smaller population and rural context. Within the local Gravesham context, Meopham provides a highly attractive balance of accessibility and safety, maintaining a crime rate that is less than half the national average while showing a strong downward trend in incidents.

Despite Meopham's high safety score of 90/100, property crime still accounts for a rate of 16.1 per 1,000 residents. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarm systems or standard CCTV, often fall short because they are reactive; they provide evidence of a crime after it has occurred rather than preventing it. For homeowners in Meopham who want to maintain the area's high safety standards, a proactive approach is essential.

The scOS AI-powered operating system represents the next generation of home protection. Instead of just recording a burglary, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the property boundary. By identifying suspicious patterns and verifying vehicles via DVLA data, it can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to deter an intruder before they even reach your door. In an area where the element of surprise is a burglar's greatest tool, scOS destroys that advantage, ensuring your home remains a hard target. This shift from reaction to prevention is the most effective way to safeguard your property in a low-crime but still vulnerable residential setting.