Local Area Crime Statistics

Medway Crime Rate

Crime is stable and MODERATE in Medway

Medway's crime rate is 105.6 per 1,000 residents, slightly above the UK average. With a safety score of 75/100, Medway offers a good understanding of local crime statistics.

Overall Crime Rate

105.6
per 1,000 people
13% higher than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

33.6
per 1,000 people
1% higher than UK avg

Based on population of 292,655 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Medway

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Medway
Overall Crime Rate105.6 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate33.6 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score75 out of 100
Population292,655
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Medway
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences11,9954139%
Anti-social behaviour5,18917.717%
Criminal damage and arson2,7309.39%
Shoplifting2,4248.38%
Other theft1,9516.76%
Public order1,5015.15%
Vehicle crime1,3744.74%
Drugs1,1123.84%
Other crime9483.23%
Burglary7572.62%
Possession of weapons3171.11%
Robbery2520.91%
Bicycle theft2140.71%
Theft from the person1480.50%

Introduction to Crime in Medway

Medway experiences an overall crime rate of 105.6 per 1,000 residents per year, placing it slightly above the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a safety score of 75 out of 100, which is respectable, though marginally below the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Medway's crime rate has remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 2.7% year-over-year. This data provides a comprehensive overview of the crime landscape within Medway, offering context for residents and those considering the area.

Medway Safety Score

75
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Medway's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Medway

Chatham

125.3
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Gillingham (Medway)

102.6
per 1,000
High Risk

Rochester

100.2
per 1,000
High Risk

Chattenden

90.6
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Allhallows

85.0
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Halling

67.4
per 1,000
Low Risk

Hoo St Werburgh

67.1
per 1,000
Low Risk

Cliffe (Medway)

62.2
per 1,000
Low Risk

Grain

47.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

High Halstow

45.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Cuxton

37.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Cliffe Woods

33.5
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Medway

Medway, an urban conurbation in Kent, is characterised by its diverse mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones, including historical dockyards and a significant university presence. Its strategic location with major transport links, such as the A2 and M2 motorways, and a busy train station, contributes to a dynamic and often transient population. The area's various town centres, including Chatham and Gillingham, offer extensive retail and nightlife options, which can sometimes correlate with higher rates of public order and anti-social behaviour. Economic factors, such as varying levels of deprivation across different wards, may also influence the local crime statistics, providing a nuanced picture of safety within this bustling local authority district.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
11,995 incidents (41 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
5,189 incidents (17.7 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
2,730 incidents (9.3 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
2,424 incidents (8.3 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,951 incidents (6.7 per 1,000)
Public order
1,501 incidents (5.1 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
1,374 incidents (4.7 per 1,000)
Drugs
1,112 incidents (3.8 per 1,000)
Other crime
948 incidents (3.2 per 1,000)
Burglary
757 incidents (2.6 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
317 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Robbery
252 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
214 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
148 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 10.3% change(over 12 months)
Medway
UK Average

Compare Medway with similar populations

Medway has a 13.1% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Breakdown in Medway

The most prevalent crime types in Medway are Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.8% of all reported crimes with a rate of 41.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour at 16.8% (17.7 per 1,000) and Criminal damage and arson at 8.8% (9.3 per 1,000). These three categories represent a significant portion of the area's criminal activity. When considering property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Medway records a rate of 33.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is slightly above the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures highlights the importance of securing properties against various forms of theft and damage, particularly given the prevalence of these offences.

Crime Trends in Medway

Medway's crime rate has remained stable over the past year, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% year-over-year. Examining the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations; for instance, the crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a peak in May 2025 at 9.9, matching July 2025, and a low in September 2025 at 7.8, which was also seen in February 2025 and December 2024. There was a noticeable rise in crime rates during spring, peaking in March, April, May, and July before declining towards the end of the reporting period. This overall stability, despite monthly variations, suggests that while there are periodic increases in activity, the long-term situation in Medway has seen a minor improvement.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Medway to its neighbouring areas, a broader regional context emerges. Gravesham, Castle Point, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Thurrock, and Rochford all offer different crime profiles. Understanding these comparisons helps residents gauge Medway's relative safety. For example, some neighbouring areas may exhibit higher or lower rates of specific crime types, or different overall safety scores, influenced by their unique demographics and urban characteristics. This regional overview is crucial for those evaluating Medway within the wider Kent and Essex regions, providing valuable insights into local variations in crime and safety.

Protecting Your Property in Medway

Understanding Medway's property crime rate of 33.6 per 1,000 residents highlights the importance of robust home security. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting as a reactive measure rather than a preventative one. For those seeking genuine peace of mind, proactive protection is key. Consider advanced solutions like an AI-powered home security operating system, such as scOS, which is designed to detect threats at your property boundary before a break-in even happens. By utilising multi-camera intelligence and learning your routines, such systems can identify real threats and initiate an autonomous response, activating lights and speakers to deter potential intruders. This proactive approach ensures that burglars, who often decide within 60 seconds, are met with visible and intelligent deterrence, making your property a less appealing target compared to homes relying on basic recording devices.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Medway

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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