Gillingham (Medway) Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Gillingham (Medway) during July 2024 reveals a distinct urban profile, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 40.8% of all reported crimes. This dominance of violent crime, which sits 23% above the UK average at 3.5 per 1,000, suggests a combination of social and environmental factors. The area’s built-up nature, combined with its role as a commuter hub and its proximity to leisure facilities, likely contributes to the higher incidence of violent and sexual offences. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category at 14.7%, may be exacerbated by the summer season’s festivals and increased public gatherings, which often correlate with heightened disorder. In contrast, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime were relatively low, with burglary at 0.2 per 1,000 (35% below the UK average) and vehicle crime at 0.4 per 1,000 (13% below the UK average). These figures could indicate effective policing in residential areas or the presence of security measures in parking zones. The seasonal context of July—characterised by schools being out, tourism peaks, and outdoor events—may also explain the spike in certain crimes. For instance, the 43% increase in criminal damage and arson (0.9 per 1,000) could be linked to the higher volume of public events and the associated risks of vandalism. While the overall crime rate (8.5 per 1,000) is marginally above the UK average (8.4 per 1,000), the localised nature of certain crime types highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. The balance of violent and property crimes suggests that Gillingham’s crime profile is shaped by both its urban infrastructure and the transient population movements typical of a summer month.

July 2024 brought significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons surged by 75%, rising from 8 to 14 incidents, a shift that may reflect heightened tensions or increased police focus during summer events. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 46.9%, likely influenced by the area’s traffic patterns or the timing of local festivals. Conversely, burglary fell by 40.6%, possibly due to seasonal factors such as increased home security during the summer months or reduced opportunities for offenders. Violence and sexual offences remained 23% above the UK average at 3.5 per 1,000, a figure that may be linked to Gillingham’s proximity to nightlife venues or public events. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 16.4%, a trend that could align with improved retail security measures or a seasonal dip in foot traffic during July.

Gillingham’s crime rate in July 2024 (8.5 per 1,000) marked a 4.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.9 per 1,000, indicating a slight downward trend. This shift may reflect seasonal factors, such as the conclusion of summer festivals or reduced outdoor activity during the month’s later days. Locally, 31 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 117 residents, a monthly exposure that translates to a relatively low individual risk for most residents. However, this aggregate figure does not capture variations across different neighbourhoods or crime types. The population context also highlights that Gillingham’s rate, while slightly above the UK average, remains within a comparable range to similar urban centres, suggesting that local policing and community initiatives may have contributed to the month’s overall decline.