Crime in Chatham: statistics, rates and trends

10,047 crimes were recorded in Chatham in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,581 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chatham has the 147th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chatham was highest in the year to July 2021 (10,571 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (9,299). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chatham 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+42%) and anti-social behaviour (+20%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-37%) and burglary (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chatham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chatham recorded 3,581 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 35.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chatham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chatham recorded 2,281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chatham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chatham recorded 817 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chatham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chatham recorded 772 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chatham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chatham recorded 681 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 up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chatham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chatham recorded 402 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chatham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chatham recorded 363 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chatham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chatham recorded 313 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chatham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chatham recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chatham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chatham recorded 215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chatham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chatham recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chatham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chatham recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chatham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chatham recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chatham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chatham recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Chatham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chatham.

9 areas within Chatham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Fort Pitt had the highest rate (282.0 per 1,000) and Walderslade the lowest (35.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Chatham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chatham 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.

Chatham has an estimated population of 80,114. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chatham sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Chatham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.