A concerted police clampdown on violent crime and antisocial behaviour in Chatham town centre resulted in a staggering 123 arrests over just three months this summer.
Kent Police officers dedicated nearly 1,200 hours—the equivalent of about 13 hours daily—to patrolling the High Street area between June and the end of August 2025. This intensive effort was launched in direct response to widespread concerns from residents, visitors, and local businesses about feeling unsafe, especially after dark.
The focused operation is already showing significant results across the wider area, contributing to 605 fewer offences across Medway in the year up to September. Crucially, serious violent crime in Chatham town centre saw a 20% reduction, marking 33 fewer incidents.
Acting Chief Inspector Paul Diddams, District Commander for Medway, emphasized that the goal was to restore safety for law-abiding citizens. “The vast majority of people who visit or live and work in Chatham are law-abiding members of the public who should not have to put up with drunken and antisocial behaviour or acts of serious violence,” Diddams stated.
In addition to the arrests, police issued 34 Community Protection Warnings and Notices to persistent troublemakers. They also successfully secured two closure orders for properties linked to crime and antisocial behaviour and obtained two Criminal Behaviour Orders against repeat offenders. The momentum continued into September with a further 12 arrests, 34 stop-and-searches, and six weapons seized. “Making 123 arrests in a single town centre is a significant figure… What is most important to me and my officers is that many residents and business owners are telling us that they have noticed a difference and are starting to feel safer.”
Diddams concluded that the force “will continue to carry out regular, high-visibility patrols in order to respond to incidents when they occur but also to prevent them from happening in the first place.”
A/Ch Insp Diddams praised the support of the force’s partners who continue to play an important role in helping to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in the town centre area including Medway Council, local housing providers, charitable organisations and street ambassadors provided by the Chatham Town Centre Forum.
He said: ‘Tackling the root causes of crime and antisocial behaviour is a joint responsibility and we are very pleased to be working closely with so many different agencies to improve the High Street area and make it a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.