Gillingham (Medway) Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime picture in Gillingham (Medway) for September 2023, accounting for 41.6% of all reported crimes. At 9.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s overall crime rate sits 21.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This elevated level reflects a persistent challenge in managing violent crime, which is 50% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour (16.1% of total crimes) and criminal damage and arson (10.1%) follow closely, both significantly exceeding national benchmarks. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university freshers—may partly explain the sharp focus on violent and disorderly incidents. These patterns are consistent with urban areas where population density and social activity intersect, particularly in zones with high foot traffic or late-night entertainment venues. While property crimes remain a concern, their share of total offences (28.4%) is lower than the violent crime proportion, suggesting a shift in the crime profile compared to other months. The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, especially during transitional periods like the start of the academic year, when youth populations and transient visitors may contribute to spikes in disorderly conduct.

September 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Bicycle theft and robbery both doubled compared to August, rising from 2 to 4 incidents each—a stark increase that may reflect heightened activity among younger demographics or changes in local policing priorities. Conversely, burglary and other theft decreased by 50% and 37.3% respectively, with other theft falling from 83 to 52. This decline could signal improved security measures or a shift in criminal focus toward more immediate, high-impact offences. The violent crime category, already 50% above the UK average, remained a dominant concern, with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also far exceeding national rates. These figures highlight a stark contrast between property crimes, which are 17% below the UK average for other theft and vehicle crime, and violent incidents, which consistently outpace national benchmarks. For residents, the doubling of bicycle thefts underscores the importance of securing personal property in public spaces, particularly near educational institutions or transport hubs where such crimes are more likely to occur.

The crime rate in Gillingham (Medway) for September 2023 dropped by 3.8% compared to August, falling from 10.1 to 9.7 per 1,000 residents. This monthly decline, though modest, suggests some stabilization in an area that has historically struggled with elevated crime levels. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 37 crimes per day in September, a figure that, while local to Gillingham, offers context for residents assessing their risk exposure. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 103 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average, would likely appear higher given the area’s overall elevated crime rate. With a population of 114,340, the absolute number of crimes (1,113) translates to a population-scaled perspective where each resident faces a 0.97% chance of being directly involved in a crime during the month. This rate, while lower than the UK average when considering certain property crimes, remains a concern in violent categories where Gillingham consistently exceeds national benchmarks. The comparison with August highlights the volatility of crime trends, particularly in categories like bicycle theft and robbery, which saw sharp increases despite the overall downward trend.