Gillingham (Medway) Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Gillingham (Medway) recorded a crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents in April 2024, placing it 11.7% above the UK average of 7.7. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.6% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and criminal damage and arson (11.4%). These figures highlight a persistent challenge with violent crime in the area, which remains 41% above the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of April—marked by the Easter period and warmer spring weather—likely influenced patterns of outdoor activity, potentially contributing to increased anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. However, the data also reveals a sharp contrast in certain categories: shoplifting and vehicle crime were both below the UK average, with vehicle crime at 36% below. This divergence suggests that while some crime types are consistently elevated, others may be mitigated by local factors such as increased policing in high-traffic areas or community initiatives. The overall crime rate, though slightly lower than March’s 8.8, remains a concern for residents, particularly given the significant disparity in violent crime compared to national trends. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in areas where violence and anti-social behaviour are most concentrated, while also recognizing the success in reducing certain types of crime.

Bicycle theft in Gillingham rose sharply by 225% in April, jumping from four to 13 incidents—a stark anomaly in an otherwise stable crime profile. This spike, occurring alongside a 44.8% drop in vehicle crime and a 66.7% decline in robbery, suggests shifting patterns in criminal activity. The area’s violent crime rate remains elevated, with violence and sexual offences at 3.6 per 1,000—41% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 40.2%, reaching 150 incidents, while theft from the person increased by 25%, indicating a combination of factors. Residents might find the significant drop in vehicle crime—now 0.3 per 1,000—particularly noteworthy, as it contrasts with the sharp rise in bicycle theft. These divergent trends could reflect seasonal changes, such as increased outdoor activity during spring, or localized factors affecting different crime types.

April 2024 saw a 2.6% decrease in Gillingham's crime rate compared to March, dropping from 8.8 to 8.6 per 1,000 residents. This small decline contrasts with the area’s overall rate remaining 11.7% above the UK average. On a daily basis, 33 crimes were reported in April, reflecting the built-up nature of the Medway area where higher population density can correlate with increased crime visibility. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 117 residents—a figure that, while locally contextual, highlights the persistent presence of crime in a community of over 114,000 people. This monthly exposure rate, though not directly comparable to UK-wide metrics, offers a tangible measure of how frequently residents might encounter crime in their daily lives. The slight downward trend suggests potential effectiveness in recent policing efforts or seasonal factors, though further data would be needed to confirm these observations.