Crime in Rochester: statistics, rates and trends

6,641 crimes were recorded in Rochester in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,548 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Rochester has the 419th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rochester was highest in the year to July 2020 (11,728 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,641). Over the whole period it fell 43%, 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 Rochester 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+23%) and anti-social behaviour (+13%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-38%) and vehicle crime (-27%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rochester

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rochester recorded 2,548 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 38.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rochester

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rochester recorded 1,245 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 18.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rochester

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rochester recorded 542 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rochester

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rochester recorded 480 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rochester

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rochester recorded 441 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rochester

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rochester recorded 292 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rochester

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rochester recorded 284 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rochester

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rochester recorded 250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rochester

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rochester recorded 232 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 9% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rochester

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rochester recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rochester

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rochester recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rochester

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rochester recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rochester

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rochester recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rochester

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rochester recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Rochester, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rochester West & Borstal had the highest rate (128.0 per 1,000) and Strood Rural the lowest (56.3). 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 Rochester over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rochester 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.

Rochester has an estimated population of 70,153. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rochester sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. 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 Rochester. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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