Rochester Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Rochester's built-up area within Medway recorded a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 2.9% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure marks a continuation of a downward trend observed in recent months, though the area still faces challenges in certain categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.6% of all crimes, making them the most prevalent category — a rate 12% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 14.0%, and drugs-related crimes were 79% above the UK average, indicating specific areas of concern. Seasonal factors in January, including reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, may have contributed to lower overall crime rates, though this does not fully explain the spike in drug-related incidents. The area's crime profile suggests a mix of urban and possibly industrial characteristics, with retail spaces and public areas likely influencing patterns of anti-social behaviour and violent crime. The drop in bicycle theft and theft from the person, combined with the overall decrease in the crime rate, points to potential improvements in local safety initiatives or environmental factors. However, the persistent above-average rates in violence and drug-related crimes highlight the need for targeted interventions in these areas. The data also shows that shoplifting and vehicle crime were below the UK average, reflecting lower retail activity and reduced opportunities for such crimes during the post-holiday period. These trends, while encouraging in some respects, underscore the complexity of crime patterns in a built-up urban area like Rochester.

January 2026 saw notable reductions in bicycle theft, with a 66.7% drop from 3 to 1 incident. Theft from the person also fell by 60%, from 5 to 2 cases, reflecting potential improvements in local security measures or reduced opportunities during the post-holiday period. Conversely, drug-related crimes rose sharply by 38.5%, increasing from 26 to 36 incidents — a trend that may be linked to seasonal factors or shifting patterns in illicit activity. Other crime categories also showed increases, with 'other crime' rising by 21.4% and robbery climbing by 16.7%. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained 12% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in this category. These fluctuations contrast with the overall decline in the crime rate, illustrating a combination of specific crime types and broader trends.

Rochester's crime rate in January 2026 dropped to 6.6 per 1,000 residents, a 17.1% decrease from December's 7.9 per 1,000. This marks the lowest monthly rate since at least the previous year, reflecting a sustained decline in reported crimes. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 153 residents — a figure that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the local population. On a daily basis, Rochester saw approximately 15 crimes reported each day, a consistent local metric that allows residents to gauge crime frequency in real time. When compared to the previous month, the reduction aligns with seasonal patterns in January, including reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower outdoor crime rates. The population context further highlights that even with 463 total crimes, the rate remains well below the UK average, underscoring the area's relative safety despite certain categories like drug-related offences showing upward trends.