Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Hoo St Werburgh’s crime rate in April 2025 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 32.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reveals a complex picture when broken down by crime type. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 55.4% of all incidents, a share that, though not uncommon for a built-up area, was 11% higher than the UK average. This disparity may be influenced by the Easter period, which often coincides with increased community activity and potential for conflicts in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, rose sharply by 44.4% compared to March, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as school holidays or the timing of local events. Conversely, property crimes remained subdued, with vehicle crime and burglary both significantly below UK averages. The latter trend may be attributable to the area’s relatively low density of car parks and commercial premises, which are often associated with higher rates of vehicle-related crime. Overall, the data illustrates a mixed picture: while violent crime remains a persistent concern, the area’s performance in property-related offences suggests that local conditions—whether through effective policing, community engagement, or environmental design—may be contributing to its lower-than-average rates in these categories. The spring season, with its warmer weather and longer evenings, may also have played a role in shaping these patterns, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections.

April 2025 saw a significant 44.4% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from nine to thirteen incidents. This surge contrasts with notable declines in other crime categories, including a 60% reduction in 'other crime' and a 40% decrease in criminal damage and arson. The persistent high share of violent crimes—55.4% of all reported incidents—stands out as a key concern, with the rate of violence and sexual offences 11% above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This anomaly may be influenced by the Easter period, which typically sees increased foot traffic in public spaces, though such seasonal effects are not always consistent. Meanwhile, property-related crimes remained low, with vehicle crime and burglary both at 0.2 per 1,000—47% and 63% below UK averages, respectively. These figures suggest that while violent crime remains a focal point, the area’s overall safety profile continues to diverge from national trends, particularly in categories like burglary and anti-social behaviour.

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate in April 2025 fell to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 15.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the area over recent months. On a daily basis, the community experienced roughly two crimes per day, a figure that, while locally relevant, cannot be directly compared to UK-wide averages due to the absence of national daily crime statistics. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 194 residents in April, reflecting a relatively low level of criminal activity per capita. This statistic underscores the area’s position as one of the safer built-up areas within Medway, though this is a monthly aggregate and does not account for variations in daily patterns. The population-scaled perspective further contextualises these figures, showing that the rate remains significantly below the UK average, which stood at 7.7 per 1,000. This comparison highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies, though it is important to avoid overgeneralisation, as crime patterns can fluctuate based on specific local factors.