Gillingham (Medway) Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 114,340, Gillingham (Medway) recorded 932 crimes in March 2023, equating to a rate of 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figure is 7.9% above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, marking one of the more pronounced deviations in recent months. The data highlights a clear dominance of violent crime, which accounted for 44.7% of all reported incidents—417 cases of violence and sexual offences. This category alone is 35% above the UK average, suggesting a unique dynamic in the area. Anti-social behaviour (12.5% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (9.1%) followed closely, though the former was 4% below the UK average. Seasonal shifts in March—transitioning to spring and longer evenings—may have influenced patterns, with increased social activity potentially contributing to higher violent crime rates. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (58% below the UK average) could reflect effective policing in parking areas or lower traffic density during the month. Overall, the data underscores a mix of challenges and localised factors that distinguish Gillingham’s crime profile from the national picture.

March 2023 saw a significant overrepresentation of violent crime, with violence and sexual offences comprising nearly half of all recorded incidents. This category’s rate (3.7 per 1,000) is 35% above the UK average, a stark contrast to categories like anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.6 per 1,000), which were 4% and 6% below the UK average respectively. The data also reveals a notable shift in the crime mix: violent crimes (417) outnumbered property crimes (267), a trend that may reflect seasonal factors such as increased social interactions as evenings lengthen. Other striking contrasts include the 100% above-average rate for 'other crime' (0.3 per 1,000) and the 58% below-average rate for vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000). These discrepancies may partly explain why Gillingham’s overall rate exceeds the UK average despite some categories performing below national norms. For residents, the 35% gap in violent crime rates compared to the UK highlights a specific area for local focus, particularly as the spring season progresses.

At 8.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, Gillingham’s rate in March 2023 translates to roughly 30 crimes per day—a figure that, while local to the area, provides context for daily life. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 123 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the scale of activity relative to the population of 114,340. This rate is higher than the UK average but not excessively so, with the gap narrowing in categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The 1-in-123 monthly exposure figure may help residents contextualise the likelihood of encountering crime, though this is an aggregate statistic and not a daily probability. The area’s relatively high violent crime rate compared to the UK average contrasts with its lower rates in property crimes, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in areas where violent incidents are concentrated. While the daily figure of 30 crimes may seem high, it is consistent with the area’s character as a built-up part of Medway, where higher population density and social interactions can influence crime patterns.