Kent Police Appeal for Witnesses After Woman Reports Assault in Chatham

The post did not specify the date, time or precise location of the alleged assault, nor did it include any description of a suspect. No arrest has been announced in connection with the incident, and the investigation is described as ongoing, according to the appeal.

What the Police Have Said

Kent Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen or heard the alleged incident, or who may hold relevant footage from dashcams or CCTV. Members of the public with information are being asked to come forward to assist the investigation. The appeal follows standard Kent Police practice, in which social media posts are used to reach potential witnesses, with more detailed information — including contact routes for those with evidence — published on the force’s official website.

The specific nature of the alleged assault has not been confirmed publicly. The Crown Prosecution Service categorises assault offences across a range of potential charges, from common assault through to assault occasioning actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm, depending on the circumstances and the extent of any injuries sustained. No charge has been announced in this case.

Chatham and the Wider Context

Chatham is a town within the Medway unitary authority and falls under the jurisdiction of Kent Police, the territorial police force for the county of Kent. The Medway area is covered by a dedicated neighbourhood policing team, and Kent Police routinely deploy Police Community Support Officers in support of community safety across the district.

Nationally, police-recorded violence against the person offences reached around 2.1 million in the year ending March 2024 in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics. Kent Police recorded in the region of 50,000 to 60,000 such offences annually according to Home Office police-recorded crime data, though exact figures vary by recording period. The ONS has also recorded that an estimated one in three women aged 16 and over have experienced domestic abuse at some point since the age of 16, reflecting the broader context in which assaults against women are investigated and reported.

Support Available

Women in Kent and Medway who have experienced assault or other forms of violence can access support through Victim Support, as well as specialist services commissioned by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and Medway Council. Those with information about the Chatham incident are asked to contact Kent Police through the details provided on the force’s official website.

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Key Takeaways

• Kent Police Medway have issued a public witness appeal after a woman reported being assaulted in Chatham; the investigation is ongoing and no arrest has been announced.
• The appeal, posted via the @KentPoliceMed account on X, directs those with information — including dashcam or CCTV footage — to the full details published on the Kent Police website.
• No suspect description, injury details, or specific date and time for the alleged incident have been confirmed in the publicly available appeal.

What This Means for Kent Residents

Anyone in Chatham or the surrounding Medway area who witnessed the alleged assault, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage that may be relevant, is asked to contact Kent Police using the details available on the force’s official website. Women in Medway who have been affected by assault or violence can contact Victim Support or specialist local services commissioned by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and Medway Council, both of which offer confidential advice and practical help. Those with concerns about personal safety in Chatham can also contact their local neighbourhood policing team or speak to a Police Community Support Officer for guidance on crime prevention and reporting.