Cliffe (Medway) Crime Rate

Cliffe (Medway) maintains a relatively low crime rate of 67.1 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly better than the UK average of 93.1. This is reflected in an impressive safety score of 84/100, well above the national average of 78/100. However, the area has seen an increasing trend in criminal activity, with a 10.4% rise year-over-year. While Cliffe remains a safe and desirable village, this upward movement in reports warrants attention. The following sections provide a detailed look at the types of crime occurring in Cliffe, when they are most likely to happen, and how the village compares to its immediate neighbours.

Cliffe (Medway) Crime Breakdown

In the village of Cliffe, the crime profile is notably different from the larger urban centres. Violence and sexual offences remain the most frequent category, accounting for 36.1% of incidents (69 crimes). However, burglary and criminal damage/arson are tied for the third most common offence, each representing 9.9% of the total (19 crimes each). Anti-social behaviour makes up 16.2% of reports.

Property crime in Cliffe is relatively low at 21.8 per 1,000 people, which is significantly better than the UK average of 32.9. Despite this, the burglary rate is a point of attention, representing nearly 10% of all crime in the village. This is a higher proportion than in many neighbouring urban areas. Analysis shows that 42% of these burglaries occur in the afternoon, suggesting that offenders may be targeting homes while residents are at work. For a small community like Cliffe, while the overall volume of crime is low, the impact of property-related offences like burglary and criminal damage is felt more acutely by the local population. Residents should prioritise home security, particularly during the daytime hours.

Cliffe Crime Trends

Cliffe has experienced an increasing trend in crime over the last year, with a 10.4% rise in reported incidents. Monthly data shows significant volatility; the crime rate jumped from a low of 3.2 per 1,000 in December 2024 to a peak of 8.4 per 1,000 in July 2025. This summer spike was followed by another notable increase in October 2025 (7.4 per 1,000).

These fluctuations are common in smaller populations where a small number of incidents can significantly impact the percentage rate. However, the overall upward trend suggests that residents should be more mindful of security than in previous years. The data highlights that while Cliffe remains very safe, the frequency of reports is currently on an upward trajectory, particularly during the summer months and early autumn. Monitoring these patterns allows the community to stay proactive in their local safety efforts.

How To Keep Safe in Cliffe (Medway)

Violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type in Cliffe. In a close-knit village setting, personal safety is often about maintaining community awareness and securing your environment.

1. Secure Your Home During the Day: With a high percentage of burglaries occurring in the afternoon, always ensure windows and doors are locked, even if you are just out for a short walk.
2. Join Neighbourhood Watch: In smaller communities like Cliffe, active communication between neighbours is the most effective way to spot and report unusual activity or vehicles.
3. Lighting is Key: Ensure the perimeter of your home is well-lit. Motion-activated lighting can deter both opportunistic burglars and those intent on criminal damage.
4. Report Suspicious Vehicles: If you see unfamiliar vehicles loitering in residential cul-de-sacs, note the make and model and share this with the community or local police.
5. Personal Safety at Night: While Cliffe is generally very safe, if walking alone at night, stick to the main village roads and let someone know your expected arrival time.

Crime Timing in Cliffe

Crime in Cliffe shows highly specific timing, particularly regarding property offences. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) is the most critical for homeowners, as 42% of burglaries in the village occur during these hours. This is significantly higher than the evening (33%) or night (38%) periods, suggesting that residential properties are most vulnerable when they are likely to be unoccupied.

Theft-related offences are most common in the morning (24%) and afternoon (25%), while vehicle crime shows a notable peak during the night-time hours (32%). Evening hours are dominated by 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 45% of incidents during that window. For Cliffe residents, these patterns suggest a dual focus is needed: daytime vigilance for home security and overnight precautions for vehicle protection. Weekend afternoons and evenings typically see the highest overall intensity of reported incidents.

Nearby Area Comparison

Cliffe sits in a varied landscape of rural and semi-rural settlements. Its crime rate of 67.1 per 1,000 is higher than its immediate neighbour Cliffe Woods (33.5) and the nearby village of High Halstow (46.8). It is also slightly more active than Lower Higham (62.0). However, Cliffe remains significantly safer than Chattenden, which reports a higher rate of 89.0 per 1,000. These comparisons show that while Cliffe is one of the safer parts of Medway, it experiences more recorded activity than some of its closest rural counterparts. This context helps residents understand that while they live in a high-safety area, vigilance remains more important here than in the ultra-quiet neighbouring villages.

Proactive Protection for Cliffe Homes

Cliffe’s property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 is lower than the national average, but the fact that burglary makes up nearly 10% of all local crime—with a 42% peak in the afternoon—highlights a specific vulnerability. Traditional home security often relies on cameras that simply record a break-in as it happens. For residents who are away from home during the day, a notification of an ongoing burglary is often received too late to take action.

scOS changes this dynamic by offering proactive AI protection. Instead of recording the event, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect suspicious behaviour at your property boundary before an entry is attempted. Its ability to learn routines means it won't bother you with alerts for the postman, but it will immediately respond to a threat. In a village like Cliffe, where the element of surprise is a burglar's greatest fear, the autonomous activation of lights and speakers can stop a crime in its tracks. For homeowners looking to maintain the safety of their neighbourhood, scOS provides the professional-grade deterrence needed to ensure their property is never the "easy target."