Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate

Hoo St Werburgh Crime Statistics

Hoo St Werburgh has an annual crime rate of 67.0 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This contributes to a high safety score of 82/100, making it one of the safer settlements in the Medway area. However, the crime trend in Hoo St Werburgh is currently increasing, with a 6.8% rise in reported offences over the past year. While the overall volume of crime remains low compared to urban centres, this upward trend suggests that residents should remain proactive about their security. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of local crime, offering insights for homeowners and the local community.

Crime Breakdown in Hoo St Werburgh

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Hoo St Werburgh, accounting for 52.3% of all reported incidents (35.1 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 16.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 7.6%. These figures indicate that personal safety and public nuisance are the primary issues for the village.

Property crime in Hoo St Werburgh is notably low at 12.1 per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the UK average of 32.9. This category includes burglary (1.9%), vehicle crime (3.0%), and various forms of theft. While the overall volume of property crime is low, the concentration of violence and anti-social behaviour suggests that community-focused safety measures are important. For residents, the low burglary rate is reassuring, but the presence of criminal damage and vehicle crime highlights the need for continued vigilance and basic security precautions to maintain the area's high safety standards.

Hoo St Werburgh Crime Trends

The crime trend in Hoo St Werburgh is currently increasing, with a 6.8% rise in total offences over the last year. Monthly data shows that crime rates fluctuate, with a low of 4.2 per 1,000 recorded in December 2024, rising to a peak of 6.7 in July 2025. The summer months generally saw higher activity, with rates staying above 6.0 from March through August. This seasonal increase is common, but the overall upward trend suggests that the area is seeing a gradual rise in reported incidents as the population grows. For residents, this highlights the importance of staying vigilant and ensuring that property security is maintained year-round.

How To Keep Safe in Hoo St Werburgh

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Hoo St Werburgh. While these often occur in private settings, staying aware of your surroundings when in public spaces is always recommended.

To enhance your safety in the village, ensure that you use well-lit routes when walking at night, especially near the local shops and pubs. Since anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, participating in local Neighbourhood Watch schemes can be an effective way to stay informed and deter nuisance behaviour. For homeowners, simple measures like installing motion-activated lighting can be a strong deterrent against criminal damage, which accounts for nearly 8% of local crime. Finally, always ensure your vehicles are locked and valuables are out of sight, as vehicle crime remains a persistent, albeit low-level, concern in the area.

Hoo St Werburgh Crime Timing

Crime in Hoo St Werburgh follows a predictable daily cycle. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are largely focused on theft-related incidents (41%), coinciding with daily commutes and retail activity. In the afternoon, theft remains the primary concern at 48%, and burglary incidents also peak during this time (13%) when many residents are away from home. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rise significantly to 57% of all reports. Overnight (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes a major factor, accounting for 36% of incidents. This indicates that while the village is generally quiet, vehicles are most at risk during the late-night hours, while residential security is most important during the working day.

Nearby Area Comparison

When compared to other areas on the Hoo Peninsula and wider Medway, Hoo St Werburgh remains a safe option. Its crime rate of 67.0 per 1,000 is lower than that of nearby Chattenden (89.0) but higher than High Halstow (46.8). Other nearby areas like Kingsnorth and Lower Upnor report no crime in the current period. This positioning shows that while Hoo St Werburgh is the primary residential hub for the peninsula and thus sees more activity than smaller villages, it remains much safer than the core Medway towns like Chatham or Rochester.

Protecting Your Hoo St Werburgh Property

Although property crime in Hoo St Werburgh is relatively low at 12.1 per 1,000 residents, the increasing crime trend suggests that maintaining a secure home is becoming more important. Traditional security systems often only record footage of a crime, providing little help in actually preventing it.

For residents looking for superior protection, the scOS security operating system offers a proactive solution. By using AI to monitor your property's boundaries, scOS can identify and deter potential intruders before they attempt to enter your home. Its ability to distinguish between normal activity and real threats means you won't be bothered by false alarms. In a village where vehicle crime and criminal damage are the main property-related concerns, scOS's autonomous deterrents—like activating lights or audio—can effectively discourage opportunistic offenders. Investing in professional-grade, proactive security is the best way to ensure that Hoo St Werburgh remains a safe place to live as the local area continues to develop.