Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate for November 2024 stood at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 28.9% deficit compared to the UK average of 7.6. This places the area significantly below the national benchmark, a position consistent with its historical performance in similar metrics. The crime profile reveals a stark contrast between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 61% of all reported incidents. This category alone recorded 36 incidents, a rate of 3.3 per 1,000, which is 28% above the UK average for the same category. Seasonal factors likely influenced these figures, as November’s extended evenings and events like Bonfire Night may have heightened opportunities for such crimes. In contrast, property-related crimes were sparse, with only 12 incidents reported. This includes 4 cases of criminal damage and arson, a category where Hoo St Werburgh’s rate is 30% below the UK average. The area’s lower property crime rates may reflect its relatively small population and limited high-value commercial zones, though this hypothesis requires further data to confirm. Anti-social behaviour, another category with a low incidence rate (6.8 per 1,000), is 64% below the UK average, suggesting a community that may be more cohesive or have fewer public spaces prone to disorder. These patterns align with Hoo St Werburgh’s character as a small built-up area within Medway, where social networks and local policing may contribute to lower rates of certain crimes. However, the sharp rise in violent offences remains a concern, particularly given the 63.6% increase from October’s 22 incidents to November’s 36, which may signal emerging trends or seasonal spikes. The interplay between local demographics, economic conditions, and policing strategies will be critical to understanding this shift.

November 2024 saw a 63.6% surge in violence and sexual offences, with 36 incidents reported compared to 22 in October. This increase, coupled with a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 0 to 1), highlights a concerning upward trend in violent crime. Meanwhile, several categories experienced notable declines: vehicle crime dropped by 50%, burglary fell by 50%, and criminal damage and arson decreased by 42.9%. These reductions may reflect targeted policing efforts or seasonal factors, as November’s shorter daylight hours typically reduce opportunities for vehicle-related crimes. The area’s performance relative to the UK average also reveals stark contrasts. While violence and sexual offences are 28% above the UK rate (2.6 per 1,000), anti-social behaviour is 64% below (UK average 1.1 per 1,000). This divergence suggests that Hoo St Werburgh’s crime profile is shaped by unique local dynamics, such as a lower prevalence of public disorder but higher vulnerability to targeted violence. A resident might find the 5.4 crime rate (59 total incidents) and the specific 63.6% increase in violence alarming, particularly as this category now dominates the local crime profile. The sharp rise in violent offences, despite overall lower rates, underscores the need for community engagement and support services to address underlying issues. The data also indicates that property crimes, though fewer in number, remain a concern in certain categories, with vehicle crime and burglary both halving in November. These shifts require careful analysis to determine whether they are temporary fluctuations or part of a broader trend.

Hoo St Werburgh’s crime rate in November 2024 rose to 5.4 per 1,000, a 7.1% increase from October’s 5.1. This modest upward trend, while not statistically dramatic, may reflect seasonal pressures such as darker evenings and increased social activity around Bonfire Night. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day in November, a figure that, while low, is a local metric not comparable to national averages. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for every 184 residents, a rate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in this small population. When contextualised against the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, Hoo St Werburgh’s position as a safer area becomes evident, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and property crime. However, the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences complicates this picture, suggesting that while the area is generally safer than the national average, specific vulnerabilities persist. The 7.1% month-on-month increase, though small, is significant given the area’s typically stable crime rates. For residents, the 1-in-184 monthly exposure to crime provides a tangible sense of security, but the focus on violent offences—particularly the 63.6% rise—demands closer attention. This contrast between overall safety and isolated spikes in violent crime illustrates the importance of targeted interventions. The local population of 10,836 further contextualises these figures, as the crime rate is calculated per 1,000 residents, ensuring that the statistics are proportionally representative of the area’s size. While Hoo St Werburgh remains below the UK average, the November data serves as a reminder that even in relatively safe areas, specific crime trends can emerge and require localised responses.