Dartford Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 71,588, Dartford’s 623 reported crimes in May 2025 equate to 8.7 crimes per 1,000 residents—7.4% above the UK average of 8.1. This rate translates to roughly one crime for every 115 residents over the course of the month. The area’s crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 40.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.8%) and criminal damage and arson (10.6%). These patterns may partly reflect the seasonal context of May, which includes bank holidays, extended daylight hours, and increased socialising in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences, in particular, are 27% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a higher concentration of such incidents in Dartford compared to the national picture. Anti-social behaviour, while still a significant category, is 15% below the UK average, potentially indicating stronger community engagement or policing efforts in this area. The data also shows a notable disparity in property crime trends: shoplifting is 25% below the UK average, which may be linked to lower foot traffic in retail areas during May compared to peak shopping months. However, criminal damage and arson are 50% above the UK average, highlighting a specific challenge in this category that warrants further analysis. As a built-up area within a larger town, Dartford’s mix of urban and suburban characteristics likely influences these patterns, with high-traffic zones contributing to anti-social behaviour and property crime, while more isolated or under-resourced areas may struggle with vandalism and arson. The interplay of local demographics, economic factors, and seasonal activity in May appears to shape the crime profile in ways that require targeted community and policing strategies.

May 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories compared to April. Possession of weapons surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened tensions or changes in law enforcement focus. Concurrently, 'other crime' rose by 130%, jumping from 10 to 23, suggesting a potential uptick in unclassified or emerging criminal activity. Bicycle theft also doubled, with 3 incidents in April rising to 6, possibly tied to increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. These increases contrast with notable declines: shoplifting fell by 45.7% (from 70 to 38), likely influenced by fewer shopping days in May compared to busier months like December. Drug-related offences dropped by 30%, from 40 to 28, which could indicate successful interventions or shifts in illicit market activity. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 26.5%, from 117 to 86, reflecting improved community engagement or seasonal changes in public behaviour. The crime mix shifted with violent crimes (3.6 per 1,000) remaining 27% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (1.2 per 1,000) was 15% below the national rate. This divergence underscores Dartford’s unique profile, where violent crime remains a pressing concern despite lower levels of anti-social behaviour. For residents, the sharp rise in possession of weapons is a particularly salient issue, as it may signal increased risk in local public spaces. These trends highlight the need for targeted measures to address specific crime drivers while building on areas of relative success, such as the reduction in shoplifting.

Dartford’s crime rate in May 2025 (8.7 per 1,000) was 8.1% lower than the previous month’s rate of 9.5 per 1,000, marking a modest but measurable decline. This decrease translates to roughly 20 crimes reported per day on average—though this figure may fluctuate based on daily activity patterns. When viewed through a population lens, the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-115 residents highlights the scale of crime in relation to Dartford’s 71,588 population. While this ratio is not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics (as no national monthly exposure figure is provided), it offers a tangible sense of how frequently crime affects local residents. For context, 20 crimes per day may seem high, but spread across Dartford’s built-up area, it represents a relatively low frequency per individual. The 7.4% gap between Dartford’s rate and the UK average (8.1 per 1,000) suggests that while the area is not exceptionally unsafe, it does face challenges in certain crime categories. The drop from 9.5 to 8.7 per 1,000 may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the end of the Easter holiday period in early May, which could have temporarily reduced social interactions that contribute to anti-social behaviour and violence. However, the persistence of violent crime at 27% above the UK average indicates that this remains a critical issue requiring sustained attention. The comparison also reveals that Dartford’s population-scaled perspective—1 crime per 115 residents—may be more impactful than raw numbers, as it directly relates to the lived experience of local residents. This statistic, while not inherently alarming, underscores the importance of community-focused crime prevention strategies to further reduce the monthly exposure rate.