Dartford Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dartford's crime rate in April 2023 stood at 8.4 per 1,000 residents, 12% higher than the UK average of 7.5. This rate translates to a daily risk of encountering crime at a frequency of 35 incidents per day, a figure that, while localised, underscores the need for situational awareness. The top three crime types—violence and sexual offences (28.5% of total), shoplifting (14.6%), and anti-social behaviour (13.6%)—illustrate a community grappling with both interpersonal conflict and retail-related crime. Violence and sexual offences. lower than March, remain 8% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may moderate this category. Shoplifting, however, surged to 150% above the UK average, likely tied to Easter shopping and the town's commercial hubs. Anti-social behaviour, though 7% below the UK average, remains a persistent concern, potentially linked to the area's mix of residential and commercial spaces. Seasonal dynamics in April—Easter, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—may contribute to fluctuations, though the exact interplay between these factors and crime patterns requires further analysis.

April 2023 saw a 37.8% increase in shoplifting, with 153 reported incidents—150% above the UK average for this category. This surge aligns with Easter shopping activity and the area's retail presence, which may amplify opportunities for theft. Public order offences rose by 63.4%, jumping from 41 to 67, a stark shift that contrasts with the 22% UK-wide decline in this category. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 19.7%, dropping from 371 to 298, though Dartford's rate of 2.4 per 1,000 remains 8% below the UK average. This decrease could reflect seasonal changes, with fewer outdoor gatherings during April's cooler temperatures. Residents might find the 150% disparity in shoplifting rates particularly notable, as it suggests targeted retail crime patterns in Dartford compared to national trends.

Dartford's crime rate in April 2023 rose to 8.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 2.4% increase from the previous month's 8.2. This translates to roughly 35 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while localised, offers a tangible sense of frequency for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 119 residents, highlighting the monthly exposure to crime in the area. When compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, Dartford's rate remains 12% higher, though this gap is not uniform across crime types. The population context—125,011 residents—means that while the rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes is spread across a larger community than smaller areas. This daily and monthly perspective allows residents to contextualise risk in terms of routine encounters rather than abstract statistics.