Medway Crime Rate

Medway's latest crime data shows an overall crime rate of 104.9 per 1,000 people for the period from January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is above the UK national average of 91.6, which is common for large, high-density urban areas. Despite this, Medway maintains a safety score of 75/100. The crime trend in the area is currently stable, showing a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.2%. This indicates that while crime is a factor in the local authority, it is not currently on a significant upward trajectory. This report provides a detailed analysis of Medway's crime breakdown, monthly patterns, and practical advice for residents to enhance their personal and property security.

About Medway

Medway is a large urban area in Kent, comprising the five towns of Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Rainham, and Strood. Historically famous for its naval dockyards, it is now a major educational and residential hub with a population of over 290,000. The area features a mix of historic sites, like Rochester Castle and Cathedral, and modern developments such as the Chatham Maritime complex. The presence of several universities, including the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent at Medway, brings a large student population to the area, which can influence local demographics and nightlife activity.

Economic activity is centered around retail, services, and the remaining maritime industries. Medway's proximity to London and its excellent rail links make it a popular commuter area. These factors contribute to high footfall in town centres and transport hubs, which can impact crime statistics, particularly for offences like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The blend of historic urban centres and newer suburban estates creates a varied landscape that faces the typical challenges of a large metropolitan borough in the South East.

Crime Breakdown in Medway

The most common crime in Medway is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 38.1% of all recorded incidents (11,708 crimes). Anti-social behaviour is also highly prevalent, making up 17.9% of total crime, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.8%. The high volume of anti-social behaviour is a key concern for local residents and businesses.

Property crime in Medway—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 33.0 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is a notable factor within this category, occurring at a rate of 8.0 per 1,000. Vehicle crime is recorded at 4.5 per 1,000, while burglary rates are relatively lower at 2.5 per 1,000. For homeowners, this suggests that while residential break-ins are less frequent than in some other urban areas, opportunistic theft and vandalism are more common risks. Protecting property through visible deterrents and secured perimeters is essential for maintaining safety in Medway's diverse neighbourhoods.

Crime Trends in Medway

The crime trend in Medway has remained stable over the past year, with a total decrease of 2.2% year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 7.8 and 9.9. The highest rates were recorded in May and July, both reaching 9.9 per 1,000, which suggests a slight increase in activity during the warmer summer months.

The lowest rates were seen in February, September, and November, all dipping to 7.8 per 1,000. This pattern shows a consistent baseline of activity with predictable seasonal peaks. The minor downward trend is a positive sign for the community, suggesting that local safety initiatives and policing are having a steady impact on the area's overall crime volume. For residents, this stability provides a level of predictability in the local safety environment.

Medway is the largest urban conglomerate in its immediate region. When compared to nearby areas like Gravesham, Castle Point, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Thurrock, and Rochford—all of which show 0.0 crimes in this specific comparison data—Medway's rate of 104.9 per 1,000 stands out. In a regional context, Medway serves as a major hub for retail, education, and transport, which naturally leads to higher reported crime volumes than its more residential or rural neighbours. For residents in the Thames Estuary region, Medway offers a vibrant urban lifestyle but requires a more proactive approach to safety than the quieter surrounding districts.

Home Security and Protection in Medway

With a property crime rate of 33.0 per 1,000 residents, Medway homeowners should be aware of the importance of effective security. In an area where anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are the top concerns after violent offences, the threat to property is often opportunistic. Traditional security cameras can provide evidence after a crime, but they do little to stop an intruder from causing damage or entering your home in the first place.

scOS provides a more advanced, proactive solution. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour walking by and a genuine threat lurking near your home. For Medway residents, the system's ability to autonomously trigger lights and audio warnings the moment a boundary is breached is a powerful deterrent. It destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Furthermore, scOS can verify vehicle plates against DVLA data, helping to identify suspicious vehicles in your neighbourhood. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS offers a superior level of protection for homes in Medway's busy urban environment.

How To Keep Safe in Medway

Violence and sexual offences, along with anti-social behaviour, are the most prevalent crimes in Medway. These are often concentrated around town centres and nightlife areas. To stay safe, consider these tips:

1. When out in Chatham or Gillingham town centres, stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone late at night; use the main roads rather than quiet side streets.
2. Be mindful of your belongings in busy shopping areas like the Pentagon Centre or Hempstead Valley to prevent opportunistic theft and pickpocketing.
3. If you encounter anti-social behaviour, do not engage; instead, move to a safe, populated area and report the incident to the authorities.
4. For university students, use campus security resources and always walk in groups when moving between the university hubs and residential areas after dark.
5. Given the rate of criminal damage, ensure that your home and vehicle are well-lit and that no valuables are left in your car, even for short periods.