Crime in Gravesend: statistics, rates and trends

6,454 crimes were recorded in Gravesend in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,241 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Gravesend has the 291st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Gravesend was highest in the year to July 2018 (9,605 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,454). Over the whole period it fell 33%, 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 Gravesend 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 robbery (+45%) and bicycle theft (+41%). The largest falls were in drugs (-49%) and theft from the person (-39%).

Violence and sexual offences in Gravesend

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Gravesend recorded 2,241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 34.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Gravesend

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Gravesend recorded 1,455 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 22.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Gravesend

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Gravesend recorded 589 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Gravesend

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Gravesend recorded 512 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Gravesend

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Gravesend recorded 339 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Gravesend

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Gravesend recorded 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Gravesend

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Gravesend recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Gravesend

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Gravesend recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Gravesend

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Gravesend recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Gravesend

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Gravesend recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Gravesend

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Gravesend recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Gravesend

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Gravesend recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Gravesend

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Gravesend recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Gravesend

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Gravesend recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Gravesend, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town had the highest rate (215.9 per 1,000) and Chalk the lowest (44.9). 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 Gravesend over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Gravesend 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.

Gravesend has an estimated population of 60,609. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Gravesend sits in decile 4.4, 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 Gravesend. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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