Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate in May 2025 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, 21% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure highlights the area's relatively low exposure to crime compared to the national context, though the month-on-month increase from 5.2 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents signals a shift in local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share of crimes (34 cases, 49.3% of total), with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents—10% above the UK average for this category. This contrast with anti-social behaviour (12 cases, 17.4% of total), which was 23% below the UK average, underscores the uneven distribution of crime types. The built-up nature of Hoo St Werburgh, as part of Medway's urban landscape, may contribute to the prominence of violent crime, which often occurs in higher-density areas. However, the area's lower rates for property-related crimes—such as burglary (0.2 per 1,000, 29% below UK average) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 50% below UK average)—suggest a unique profile where social interactions and proximity to public spaces may drive violent incidents rather than property theft. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and the presence of bank holidays, likely contributed to the 100% increase in public order offences, which saw three reported incidents compared to zero in April. This spike aligns with patterns observed in similar urban areas during periods of increased social activity. The data also reveals that 'other crime' (0.4 per 1,000, 150% above UK average) remains an outlier, though its nature remains unclear from available statistics. The relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000) may reflect effective local measures or demographic factors, such as the area's older population profile, which is often associated with lower rates of such offences. However, the rise in public order offences highlights the need for targeted strategies to address specific seasonal pressures without undermining the area's overall safety achievements.

May 2025 saw a 100% increase in burglary, drugs-related offences, and public order incidents compared to April, while anti-social behaviour decreased by 7.7%. The area's violent crime rate (3.1 per 1,000) was 10% above the UK average, a stark contrast to anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000), which was 23% below the national figure. Other theft and criminal damage rates also remained significantly lower than UK averages, though 'other crime' (0.4 per 1,000) was 150% above the national benchmark, indicating an unusual spike in unspecified offences. Residents may find the 100% rise in public order offences particularly noteworthy, as this category is often linked to seasonal factors like extended evenings and increased social gatherings. The data suggests a shift in crime dynamics, with violent offences rising while property-related crimes remained stable, highlighting the need for targeted community engagement strategies. The decrease in anti-social behaviour, despite the overall increase in crime, may reflect effective local interventions or changes in social activity patterns. This contrast underscores the complexity of local crime trends and the importance of granular analysis in shaping responses. The built-up nature of Hoo St Werburgh, with its proximity to Medway's urban infrastructure, may influence the balance between property and violent crime, though the spike in 'other crime' remains unexplained by available data.

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate increased by 23.2% in May 2025, rising from 5.2 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents compared to the previous month. This upward trend, though modest, reflects a shift in local dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two crimes reported each day, a figure that translates to one crime for every 157 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while relatively low compared to the broader UK context, underscores the importance of community engagement in maintaining safety. The population context further illustrates the scale: with 10,836 residents, the 69 reported crimes represent a manageable proportion of the community. However, the increase from April suggests a need for targeted efforts, particularly in light of seasonal factors such as extended evenings and increased socialising. These dynamics may partly explain the rise in public order offences, which saw a 100% increase. Residents may find it useful to note that while the overall rate remains below the UK average, specific categories like public order offences saw a significant spike, linked to May's bank holidays and outdoor activity. The data also reveals a nuanced picture, with anti-social behaviour decreasing by 7.7% and other theft and criminal damage rates remaining significantly lower than UK averages. This mix of trends highlights the importance of context-specific strategies in addressing local challenges. The decrease in anti-social behaviour, despite the overall increase in crime, may reflect effective local interventions or changes in social activity patterns. This contrast underscores the complexity of local crime trends and the importance of granular analysis in shaping responses. The population density and built-up nature of the area likely influence crime patterns, with limited open spaces reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the seasonal increase in public gatherings may create new risk factors that require adaptive policing and community support.