Crime in Strood West: statistics, rates and trends
2,035 crimes were recorded in Strood West in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Strood West at a glance
- Crime trends in Strood West
- Types of crime in Strood West
- Strood West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Strood West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Strood West
- Population and deprivation in Strood West
- Questions about crime in Strood West
- About this data
2,035 crimes were recorded in Strood West in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 727 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Strood West has the 894th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Strood West | Medway | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,035 | 29,852 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 116.0 | 102.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 17,541 | 292,655 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Strood West was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,718 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,035). Over the whole period it fell 25%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 2,035 | 116.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,213 | 126.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,095 | 119.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,063 | 117.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,267 | 129.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,299 | 131.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,608 | 148.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,687 | 153.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,718 | 155.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 207 |
| June 2026 | 181 |
| May 2026 | 191 |
| April 2026 | 172 |
| March 2026 | 171 |
| February 2026 | 163 |
| January 2026 | 119 |
| December 2025 | 168 |
| November 2025 | 169 |
| October 2025 | 182 |
| September 2025 | 137 |
| August 2025 | 175 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Strood West over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, other theft.
The largest increases were in other crime (+77%) and anti-social behaviour (+35%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-56%) and burglary (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 727 | 41.4 | 1.21 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 402 | 22.9 | 1.49 | +35% |
| Shoplifting | 155 | 8.8 | 1.07 | -56% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 152 | 8.7 | 1.28 | -8% |
| Other theft | 149 | 8.5 | 1.33 | -11% |
| Vehicle crime | 94 | 5.4 | 1.09 | +1% |
| Other crime | 85 | 4.8 | 2.29 | +77% |
| Public order | 84 | 4.8 | 0.72 | -1% |
| Drugs | 81 | 4.6 | 1.41 | -11% |
| Burglary | 40 | 2.3 | 0.64 | -20% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.3 | 1.29 | +47% |
| Robbery | 21 | 1.2 | 0.89 | +17% |
| Bicycle theft | 16 | 0.9 | 1.11 | +45% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.4 | 0.24 | -12% |
Violence and sexual offences in Strood West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Strood West recorded 727 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Strood West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Strood West recorded 402 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 19.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Strood West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Strood West recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Strood West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Strood West recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Strood West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Strood West recorded 149 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Strood West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Strood West recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Strood West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Strood West recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 77% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Strood West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Strood West recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Strood West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Strood West recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Strood West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Strood West recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Strood West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Strood West recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Strood West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Strood West recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Strood West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Strood West recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Strood West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Strood West recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Strood West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Strood West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Strood West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strood North & Frindsbury | 1,093 | 74.3 | -36% |
| Rochester West & Borstal | 1,677 | 128.0 | +10% |
| Rochester East & Warren Wood | 1,235 | 88.0 | -24% |
| Cuxton, Halling & Riverside | 332 | 50.2 | -57% |
| Fort Pitt | 3,380 | 282.0 | +143% |
| Chatham Central & Brompton | 3,231 | 161.1 | +39% |
| Strood Rural | 736 | 56.3 | -51% |
| St Mary's Island | 119 | 30.2 | -74% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Strood West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 218 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 158 |
| On or near Tintagel Gardens | 109 |
| On or near Supermarket | 64 |
| On or near Taylor'S Lane | 59 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 57 |
| On or near Chariot Way | 52 |
| On or near Carnation Road | 49 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 46 |
| On or near Penguin Close | 43 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Strood West over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 592 | 29.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 592 | 29.1% |
| Not recorded | 402 | 19.8% |
| Under investigation | 147 | 7.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 90 | 4.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 59 | 2.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 45 | 2.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 44 | 2.2% |
| Local resolution | 38 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.2% |
Strood West has an estimated population of 17,541. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Strood West sits in decile 3.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Strood West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.4% |
| Social rented homes | 20.5% |
| Private rented homes | 15.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 9.3% |
Is Strood West a safe place to live?
Strood West recorded 116.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Strood West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 727 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (402).
Is crime in Strood West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Strood West was down 8% on the year before: 2,035 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,213 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Strood West?
Strood West is policed by Kent. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Strood West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.