Crime Statistics

Chatham Crime Rate

-1.4%year-over-year

Crime is stable and HIGH in Chatham

Chatham has a crime rate of 125.3 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 71/100. Explore local crime statistics for Chatham.

Overall Crime Rate

125.3
Crimes per 1,000 people
stable trend

Property Crime Rate

38.8
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Chatham Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:125.3vs 93.4 UK avg
+31.9 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:38.8vs 33.2 UK avg
+5.6 per 1,000 people

Chatham's crime rate is significantly higher than UK average

Based on population of 82,023 over 12 months

This area spans multiple local authorities

Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge And Malling

Crime Statistics Summary for Chatham

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Chatham
Overall Crime Rate125.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate38.8 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score71 out of 100
Population82,023
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Chatham
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,86047.138%
Anti-social behaviour2,01224.520%
Criminal damage and arson88210.89%
Shoplifting83810.28%
Other theft6297.76%
Public order4825.95%
Vehicle crime41154%
Drugs3464.23%
Other crime2743.33%
Burglary2232.72%
Possession of weapons1241.51%
Robbery8411%
Theft from the person700.81%
Bicycle theft440.50%

Introduction to Crime in Chatham

Chatham experiences an overall crime rate of 125.3 per 1,000 residents per year, which is notably higher than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 71 out of 100, placing it below the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Chatham's crime rate has remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 1.4% year-over-year. This data provides a detailed overview of the crime landscape within Chatham, offering essential context for residents and visitors.

Chatham Safety Score

71
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Chatham'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

Most Common Crimes in Chatham

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:38%
Per 1,000:47.1
Total:3,860
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:20%
Per 1,000:24.5
Total:2,012
#3

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:9%
Per 1,000:10.8
Total:882
#4

Shoplifting

Percentage:8%
Per 1,000:10.2
Total:838
#5

Other theft

Percentage:6%
Per 1,000:7.7
Total:629

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scOS security systems are designed to detect and deter the most common crimes in your area, providing 24/7 autonomous protection.

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Crime Breakdown in Chatham

In Chatham, the three most significant crime types are Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.5% of all reported crimes with a rate of 47.1 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows at 19.6% (24.5 per 1,000), and Criminal damage and arson makes up 8.6% (10.8 per 1,000). These categories highlight key areas of criminal activity in Chatham. Property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, is recorded at a rate of 38.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure is higher than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Residents and homeowners should be aware of these figures to enhance their personal and property security.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,860 incidents (47.1 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
2,012 incidents (24.5 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
882 incidents (10.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
838 incidents (10.2 per 1,000)
Other theft
629 incidents (7.7 per 1,000)
Public order
482 incidents (5.9 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
411 incidents (5 per 1,000)
Drugs
346 incidents (4.2 per 1,000)
Other crime
274 incidents (3.3 per 1,000)
Burglary
223 incidents (2.7 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
124 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
84 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
70 incidents (0.8 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
44 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 9% change(over 12 months)
Chatham
UK Average

Compare Chatham with similar populations

Chatham has a 34.2% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Chatham

Chatham's crime rate has remained stable over the past year, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals some notable patterns. The crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in May 2025 at 12.8, with other high points in April and July. Conversely, the lowest rates were observed in December 2024 (8.4) and September 2025 (9.1). There was a clear upward trend from December through to May, indicating increased activity during the spring and early summer months, before a subsequent decline. This overall stability masks significant monthly variations in crime levels.

When Do Crimes Happen in Chatham?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Chatham's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Chatham?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Theft45%
Other35%
Vehicle Crime14%
Burglary6%
Violence0%

Morning hours show elevated theft activity, likely linked to daytime commerce.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft50%
Other33%
Burglary11%
Vehicle Crime5%
Violence0%

Afternoon sees peak theft-related offences, coinciding with busy commercial periods.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other57%
Theft19%
Vehicle Crime14%
Burglary10%
Violence0%

Evening crime patterns shift to other offences, with notable vehicle and burglary activity.

Night

12am - 6am

Other40%
Vehicle Crime37%
Burglary13%
Theft10%
Violence0%

Night hours are marked by higher vehicle crime and burglary incidents, targeting unattended properties.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Chatham's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Chatham, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Time-Based Crime Patterns in Chatham

Chatham's crime patterns exhibit clear variations throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a significant proportion of theft offences, accounting for 45% of crimes, alongside vehicle crime at 14%. This trend of high theft activity continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where it reaches 50%, indicating a strong link to daytime commercial activities. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes, often encompassing public order and anti-social behaviour, become the most dominant category at 57%, with burglary and vehicle crime also contributing. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime remains significant at 37%, and burglary accounts for 13% of offences, suggesting a focus on unattended properties during these quieter periods.

Crime Rates Near Medway

Dartford

13.4 miles

110.0
per 1,000
High Risk

Medway

6.1 miles

105.6
per 1,000
High Risk

Swale

10.8 miles

104.4
per 1,000
High Risk

Gravesham

6.3 miles

102.3
per 1,000
High Risk

Thurrock

13.4 miles

97.1
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Maidstone

9.0 miles

89.1
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Explore Nearby Areas

Bredhurst

2.8 miles

0.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Blue Bell Hill

2.3 miles

67.3
per 1,000
Low Risk

Rochester

2.8 miles

100.2
per 1,000
High Risk

Gillingham (Medway)

2.1 miles

102.6
per 1,000
High Risk

Police Response Times in Chatham

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

19 minActual
Actual
19 min
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min
4 min slower than target

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

1h 41mActual
Actual
1h 41m
Target
1h
UK Average
1h
41 min slower than target

Active Officers

4,168

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

2024 data
Mean response times
Source: FOI Request

How Does Chatham Compare?

Shrewsbury

88.7
crimes per 1,000 people
29.2% safer than Chatham

Stafford

82.0
crimes per 1,000 people
34.6% safer than Chatham

Scunthorpe

134.4
crimes per 1,000 people
7.3% higher than Chatham

Rugby

79.8
crimes per 1,000 people
36.3% safer than Chatham

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Examining Chatham in relation to neighbouring areas such as Gillingham (Medway), Blue Bell Hill, Bredhurst, and Rochester provides important regional context. Each of these areas possesses its own unique set of crime challenges and safety profiles. Understanding these comparisons can help residents and prospective movers assess Chatham's relative position within the local crime landscape, offering valuable insights into regional variations in safety and security.

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Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

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  • •You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • •Hope police can use the footage

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Protecting Your Property in Chatham

With Chatham's property crime rate at 38.8 per 1,000 residents, securing your home is paramount. Many conventional security systems merely record incidents after they occur, offering footage but not preventing the crime itself. For proactive protection, consider an advanced AI-powered home security operating system like scOS. This technology prevents crime by detecting threats at the property boundary, not after a break-in. Through multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning, scOS differentiates between routine activities and genuine threats, activating lights and speakers to deter intruders in real-time. This level of professional deterrence can make a significant difference, as burglars often move on within 60 seconds when faced with robust, visible security.

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Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Chatham

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Chatham. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.uk — Crime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National Statistics — Population statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home Office — Nationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI Requests — Additional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.
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

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.

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