Hoo St Werburgh Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences saw the most dramatic month-on-month increase in January 2026, rising by 50% from 16 to 24 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 13.3% rise in anti-social behaviour, marks a stark contrast to the 50% decline in criminal damage and arson. The overall crime rate for Hoo St Werburgh stood at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, 30.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 47.1% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 33.3%, with other theft and criminal damage each contributing 5.9%. These figures reflect a shift in crime patterns, with property crimes remaining relatively low at 7 incidents (13.7% of total crimes). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the lower volume of outdoor crimes typically associated with this time of year. However, the sharp increase in violent crime suggests other factors may be at play, such as changes in community dynamics or unseasonal weather patterns affecting local interactions. The area's status as a built-up part of Medway, with a mix of residential and industrial zones, may further influence crime trends, though direct links to specific geographic features.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 50% increase in violence and sexual offences, which rose from 16 to 24 incidents. This category, which accounted for 47.1% of all crimes in January, remains 12% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also saw a notable 13.3% increase, climbing from 15 to 17 incidents, and now sits 72% above the UK average for this category (0.9 per 1,000). Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, dropping from 6 to 3 incidents, a trend consistent with the 38% UK-wide deficit in this category. The surge in violence and sexual offences may indicate unseasonal spikes in alcohol-related incidents or tensions during the post-holiday period. Residents should be aware that anti-social behaviour, which includes noise disturbances and harassment, has become the second most common crime type in the area, a 72% deviation from the UK average. This highlights the need for community engagement strategies to address local concerns. The stark contrast between rising violent crime and falling property crime suggests a reallocation of criminal activity, potentially influenced by seasonal factors or shifts in policing priorities.

Hoo St Werburgh's crime rate in January 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents) represents an 8.5% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, underscores the volatility in local crime trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may seem concerning but is contextually low when compared to the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 212 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable urban areas. With a population of 10,836, this translates to a manageable volume of incidents relative to the community size. The previous month's data shows a slight decline in overall crime, suggesting that the January increase may be part of a cyclical pattern influenced by seasonal factors such as post-holiday periods and reduced daylight hours. However, the stark deviation in anti-social behaviour and violence rates—72% and 12% respectively from UK averages—highlights the need for targeted interventions in these categories. While the daily crime count provides a snapshot of local activity, the monthly exposure rate offers a broader perspective on how frequently residents encounter crime, which in this case remains relatively infrequent compared to national benchmarks.