Crime in Rochester West & Borstal: statistics, rates and trends
1,726 crimes were recorded in Rochester West & Borstal in the 12 months to August 2026, 131.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 14% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Rochester West & Borstal at a glance
- Crime trends in Rochester West & Borstal
- Types of crime in Rochester West & Borstal
- Rochester West & Borstal compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Rochester West & Borstal
- What happened after crimes were reported in Rochester West & Borstal
- Demographics of Rochester West & Borstal
- Questions about crime in Rochester West & Borstal
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (652), anti-social behaviour (405) and criminal damage and arson (136) made up 69% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 647th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | Rochester West & Borstal | Medway | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,726 | 29,963 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 131.7 | 102.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -14% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 13,101 | 292,655 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Rochester West & Borstal of any year here (1,726 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 62%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,726 | 131.7 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,997 | 152.4 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 2,179 | 166.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 3,598 | 274.6 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 4,087 | 312.0 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 3,630 | 277.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 4,559 | 348.0 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 4,536 | 346.2 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 4,568 | 348.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 200 |
| July 2026 | 192 |
| June 2026 | 148 |
| May 2026 | 154 |
| April 2026 | 126 |
| March 2026 | 124 |
| February 2026 | 127 |
| January 2026 | 121 |
| December 2025 | 135 |
| November 2025 | 120 |
| October 2025 | 140 |
| September 2025 | 139 |
Compared with England and Wales, Rochester West & Borstal recorded notably more other crime (2.2 times the national rate), anti-social behaviour (2.0 times the national rate) and criminal damage and arson (54% above the national rate), and notably less burglary (25% below) and public order (21% below). On the year before, vehicle crime fell from 113 to 60 and other crime fell from 106 to 62.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 652 | 49.8 | 34.2 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 405 | 30.9 | 15.4 | +6% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 136 | 10.4 | 6.7 | -9% |
| Shoplifting | 100 | 7.6 | 8.5 | -15% |
| Other theft | 93 | 7.1 | 6.4 | -19% |
| Public order | 69 | 5.3 | 6.7 | -22% |
| Drugs | 64 | 4.9 | 3.3 | -20% |
| Other crime | 62 | 4.7 | 2.1 | -42% |
| Vehicle crime | 60 | 4.6 | 5.0 | -47% |
| Burglary | 35 | 2.7 | 3.6 | -39% |
| Bicycle theft | 14 | 1.1 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Robbery | 14 | 1.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 1.0 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.7 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
3 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Rochester West & Borstal; the highest is Fort Pitt (283.4 per 1,000) and the lowest Fort Horsted (72.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Rochester West & Borstal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester East & Warren Wood | 1,255 | 89.4 | -32% |
| Fort Pitt | 3,397 | 283.4 | +115% |
| Strood West | 2,082 | 118.7 | -10% |
| Chatham Central & Brompton | 3,304 | 164.8 | +25% |
| Strood North & Frindsbury | 1,102 | 74.9 | -43% |
| Fort Horsted | 400 | 72.3 | -45% |
| Luton | 1,454 | 140.5 | +7% |
| Wayfield & Weeds Wood | 1,083 | 105.7 | -20% |
The 10 locations below account for 43% of the crime recorded in Rochester West & Borstal over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (203).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 203 |
| On or near Sylewood Close | 110 |
| On or near Corys Road | 104 |
| On or near Blue Boar Lane | 68 |
| On or near Almon Place | 66 |
| On or near George Lane | 44 |
| On or near Mercury Close | 39 |
| On or near Gundolph Square | 36 |
| On or near Eastgate | 33 |
| On or near Shorts Way | 33 |
Of the 1,321 crimes in Rochester West & Borstal with a recorded outcome, 34% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 6.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 405 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 476 | 36.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 453 | 34.3% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 125 | 9.5% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 81 | 6.1% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 59 | 4.5% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 40 | 3.0% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 37 | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 30 | 2.3% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% | 0.5% |
Rochester West & Borstal has an estimated population of 13,101 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more private renting (25%, against 20%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Rochester West & Borstal average decile 5.0 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Rochester West & Borstal | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 57.4% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.1% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 18.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 7.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 35.9% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 15.9% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 21.1% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 16.6% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 24.8% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Rochester West & Borstal a safe place to live?
Rochester West & Borstal recorded 131.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 647th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other crime and anti-social behaviour.
What is the most common crime in Rochester West & Borstal?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 652 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (405).
Is crime in Rochester West & Borstal going up or down?
Recorded crime in Rochester West & Borstal was down 14% on the year before: 1,726 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,997 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Rochester West & Borstal?
About 13,101 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 16% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Rochester West & Borstal?
Rochester West & Borstal is policed by Kent.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.