Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2025, Hoo St Werburgh recorded a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents, 23.9% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure, though lower than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 63.8% of all incidents, a rate (3.4 per 1,000) that exceeded the UK average by 35%. This category's prominence is consistent with the area's character as a built-up part of Medway, where urban density may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Anti-social behaviour, while a smaller share (10.3% of total crimes), saw a dramatic 500% increase from December, suggesting a sharp shift in criminal activity patterns. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may have influenced these trends, as outdoor crimes typically decline during this period. However, the surge in anti-social behaviour may point to localized factors such as increased social gatherings or unresolved tensions in public spaces. Other crime, though a minor category (8.6% of total), rose 400% month-on-month, indicating a need for further analysis of what constitutes 'other crime' in this context. Overall, the area's crime profile remains safer than the UK average, but the spikes in specific categories highlight the importance of targeted community engagement and policing strategies.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in January 2025 was the 500% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 1 to 6 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 400% rise in 'other crime' (from 1 to 5), highlights a significant shift in the crime mix. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, accounting for 63.8% of all crimes, but their rate of 3.4 per 1,000 was 35% above the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, shoplifting—previously absent in December—emerged as a new category in January, marking a 100% increase. This contrast with other categories that fell sharply, such as drugs (66.7% decrease) and public order offences (66.7% decrease), suggests a reallocation of criminal activity. For residents, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour may indicate increased tensions in shared spaces, though can be confirmed without further data.

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate in January 2025 rose 28.9% from 4.2 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2024. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects a shift in crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 2 crimes reported each day in January, a figure that may feel more pronounced to residents due to the clustering of incidents in specific categories. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area well below the UK average for most categories. This statistic, while low, underscores the importance of continued vigilance in areas where crime spikes, such as violence and sexual offences. The population context—10,836 residents—means that even small shifts in crime rates can have visible impacts on community perceptions of safety.