Chatham Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chatham’s crime rate in October 2025 stood at 9.7 per 1,000 residents, a figure 26% above the UK average of 7.7. This places the built-up area within Medway among the higher-crime regions nationally, though local context suggests a combination of factors. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 34.6% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.4%) and shoplifting (8.3%). These patterns may reflect the area’s mix of urban density and commercial activity, with high streets and public spaces acting as focal points for disorder. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, Halloween festivities, and the clocks going back—likely contributed to increased anti-social behaviour and public order issues. However, the data also shows some areas of improvement: theft from the person fell by 20%, possibly linked to seasonal changes in foot traffic, and public order offences decreased slightly, 6% below the UK average. While the overall rate remains elevated, these reductions in specific categories indicate that targeted policing and community engagement efforts may be yielding some results. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted, with property crimes (255) now slightly outnumbering violent crimes (275). This contrast may be influenced by local demographics, with Medway’s commuter population driving property-related incidents, while the area’s proximity to nightlife venues could explain persistent violent crime rates. The challenge for local authorities lies in addressing the most pressing issues—violence and anti-social behaviour—while maintaining the progress seen in other categories.

October 2025 saw a 175% surge in vehicle crime, rising from 16 to 44 incidents, a jump likely linked to increased car usage during darker evenings. Other crime also rose sharply, with an 86.7% increase from 15 to 28 cases, suggesting potential gaps in local enforcement or reporting. Conversely, other theft fell by 25.4%, from 71 to 53 incidents, possibly reflecting seasonal changes in retail activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the largest category, 28% above the UK average, while public order offences dipped slightly, 6% below the national rate. These shifts highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas with high vehicle crime and continued vigilance in sectors where theft rates have declined.

Chatham's crime rate in October 2025 rose 6.3% compared to September, from 9.1 to 9.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase aligns with the area’s seasonal patterns, as October’s darker evenings and Halloween activities may contribute to higher anti-social behaviour and public disorder. On average, 26 crimes were reported daily in October, a figure that reflects the built-up area’s density and local hotspots. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 103 residents, a rate that places Chatham above the UK average but highlights the need for targeted community policing. The population context shows that while the rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes (795) is manageable within Medway’s infrastructure. This monthly exposure figure, though not directly comparable to UK-wide data, underscores the importance of localised strategies to address specific crime trends.