Local Area Crime Statistics

Dartford Crime Rate

Crime is stable and HIGH in Dartford

Dartford's crime rate is 110.0 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 75/100. Explore detailed crime statistics and local safety information for Dartford.

Overall Crime Rate

110.0
per 1,000 people
18% higher than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

45.8
per 1,000 people
38% higher than UK avg

Based on population of 125,011 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Dartford

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Dartford
Overall Crime Rate110 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate45.8 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score75 out of 100
Population125,011
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Dartford
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,63937.134%
Shoplifting2,24017.916%
Anti-social behaviour1,82414.613%
Criminal damage and arson1,2069.79%
Vehicle crime8546.86%
Other theft8176.56%
Public order5894.74%
Drugs5104.14%
Burglary36933%
Other crime3432.72%
Possession of weapons1170.91%
Theft from the person1070.91%
Robbery910.71%
Bicycle theft470.40%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Dartford

Dartford, with a population of 125,011, records an overall crime rate of 110.0 per 1,000 people annually. This figure is higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000 residents. The area's safety score stands at 75 out of 100, which is slightly below the UK average safety score of 78/100, suggesting that while generally safe, there are areas for improvement compared to the national benchmark. Crime trends in Dartford have remained stable over the last year, with a modest 2.8% increase in overall reported incidents. This overview sets the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types and their patterns within the local authority district.

Dartford Safety Score

75
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Dartford's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Dartford

Darenth

129.9
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Ebbsfleet Valley

120.9
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Dartford

104.8
per 1,000
High Risk

Bean

84.5
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Swanscombe

81.7
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Longfield, New Ash Green and Hartley

62.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Stone (Dartford)

58.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

South Darenth and Sutton at Hone

58.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Hawley (Dartford)

57.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Southfleet

46.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Joyden's Wood

31.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Dartford

Dartford is a significant urban and suburban area, serving as a key transport hub with its position along the River Thames and close proximity to major motorways like the M25. Its characteristics include a mix of residential neighbourhoods, commercial centres, and some industrial areas, contributing to a diverse environment. The presence of large retail complexes, such as Bluewater Shopping Centre nearby, and its role as a commuter town for London, mean Dartford experiences a notable transient population daily. These factors, alongside local economic conditions, can influence crime statistics. The combination of busy transport links and commercial activity often correlates with certain types of offences, while residential density can impact community safety perceptions and reported incidents.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,639 incidents (37.1 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
2,240 incidents (17.9 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,824 incidents (14.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,206 incidents (9.7 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
854 incidents (6.8 per 1,000)
Other theft
817 incidents (6.5 per 1,000)
Public order
589 incidents (4.7 per 1,000)
Drugs
510 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Burglary
369 incidents (3 per 1,000)
Other crime
343 incidents (2.7 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
117 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
107 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Robbery
91 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
47 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 11.6% change(over 12 months)
Dartford
UK Average

Compare Dartford with similar populations

Dartford has a 17.8% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Dartford

An analysis of crime in Dartford reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 33.7% of all reported crimes with a rate of 37.1 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting follows as the second most common offence, making up 16.3% of crimes at 17.9 per 1,000 people, reflecting commercial activity in the area. Anti-social behaviour ranks third, contributing 13.3% of incidents with a rate of 14.6 per 1,000. Considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, other theft, and robbery, Dartford's rate stands at 45.8 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, vehicle crime (6.8 per 1,000), other theft (6.5 per 1,000), and criminal damage and arson (9.7 per 1,000) are notable contributors. For residents and homeowners, these figures underscore the importance of securing personal property and vehicles, as these categories represent a significant portion of local criminal activity.

Crime Trends in Dartford

Over the past year, Dartford has experienced a stable crime trend, with an overall increase of 2.8% year-over-year. Examining the monthly crime rate data (per 1,000 residents) reveals some fluctuations. The period from October 2024 to February 2025 saw rates generally between 8.2 and 9.5 per 1,000, with a slight dip in January 2025 (8.2). A peak was observed in March 2025 (9.7), followed by a slight decrease through June (8.7). July 2025 recorded the highest rate at 10.7 per 1,000, before settling to 8.4 in September 2025. This stable trend, with minor monthly variations, suggests that while crime is not rapidly escalating, it is not significantly decreasing either. For residents, this indicates a consistent level of risk, emphasising the ongoing need for vigilance and robust security measures.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Dartford with its neighbouring local authority districts, a regional context for crime statistics emerges. Dartford's overall crime rate of 110.0 per 1,000 residents is generally higher than some of its neighbours. For example, Bexley often reports lower crime rates, suggesting a potentially safer environment. Thurrock, while having similar characteristics, may present varying crime challenges. Gravesham, another nearby area, provides further regional context, with its own unique crime profile. Further afield, Greenwich, Havering, and Barking and Dagenham, being closer to central London, tend to exhibit higher crime rates due to increased urbanisation and population density. This comparison helps residents understand Dartford's position within the wider regional safety landscape.

Protecting Your Property in Dartford

Given Dartford's property crime rate of 45.8 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average, proactive home security is particularly pertinent. Many traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY cameras, primarily record footage of a burglary after it has occurred. While this provides evidence, it does not prevent the crime itself. For those seeking genuine prevention, AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS offer a different approach. These systems are designed for proactive protection, detecting threats at your property boundary before an intruder can gain entry. Utilising multi-camera intelligence, scOS watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring no blind spots, and can even verify vehicles with DVLA integration to identify suspicious activity instantly. By learning your routines, it only alerts on real threats. This autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise and deter burglars within their crucial 60-second decision window, making them move on rather than target your home.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Dartford

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.

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