Police-recorded crime in Medway has increased by 10%, according to a newly published assessment from the Medway Community Safety Partnership.

The report reveals that there were 23,125 crimes recorded between April 2016 and March 2017 – 2,840 more than the same period in 2015/16, with particular rises in violence and sexual offences in the area.

The most common crime was categorised as “violence against the person”, accounting for nearly a third of all incidents. Gang warfare is being blamed on the increase.

The report reads: “It is likely due to an increase in gang related activity in Medway both from London’s county lines and emerging local groups. Incidents of violence can occur where there is rivalry over ‘turf’.

“Whilst it is difficult to evidence whether it can all be attributed to gangs, it is unlikely to be a coincidence that this is increasing at a time that we are also seeing an increase in this activity.”

The other most recorded crimes in Medway in 2016/17 were theft and handling, criminal damage offences and vehicle crime.

River, Gillingham South, Gillingham North, Luton and Wayfield, and Chatham Central are identified as particular “hotspots”.

Sexual offences reporting – which makes up 3% of all recorded crimes – has increased again, although the continued rise is being linked to high-profile cases and publicity campaigns encouraging victims to speak out about historic and new cases.

Although the number of overall recorded crime has increased, anti-social behaviour in Medway has fallen by more than 20% – equating to 1,901 fewer incidents compared to the year before.

In the same report, the Medway Community Safety Partnership also highlighted targets in reducing reoffending, strengthening communities, and supporting victims and tackling offenders of sexual abuse and domestic violence were being met through a number of initiatives.

Last November, the Medway Messenger published a joint special investigation with KMTV into gangs, crime and fear in Gillingham.

In that report, Medway MP Rehman Chishti claimed that Medway does not have a problem with knives, saying: “Is Medway a great safe place to live for all? The answer is yes."