Dartford Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dartford’s crime profile in November 2024, accounting for 31.7% of all reported incidents and contributing to a crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents. This rate, 15.8% above the UK average of 7.6, underscores the area’s challenges in managing violent crime. The seasonal context of November—marked by shorter days, Bonfire Night, and the Black Friday shopping period—likely played a role in shaping these trends. The high prevalence of violence may be influenced by the area’s urban character, where concentrated populations and limited community resources can exacerbate tensions. Meanwhile, shoplifting emerged as a significant concern, with rates 103% above the UK average. This spike may be tied to the commercial activity associated with Black Friday, which typically draws large crowds to retail centres and increases opportunities for theft. Anti-social behaviour, though slightly below the UK average, remained a notable category, contributing 11.9% of all crimes. The interplay of these factors—seasonal events, retail activity, and local demographics—illustrates a community grappling with persistent crime challenges, particularly in the violent and property crime categories.

November 2024 marked a sharp rise in drug-related crimes, surging by 75% compared to the previous month. This increase, from 32 to 56 incidents, may be linked to the timing of Bonfire Night and the post-Christmas shopping season, which can create opportunities for illicit activity. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 42.6%, with incidents dropping from 47 to 27. This decline could be attributed to heightened police presence or the seasonal reduction in foot traffic around retail areas. Shoplifting, which accounted for 16.3% of all crimes, remained high, at 103% above the UK average. This anomaly may be driven by the Black Friday shopping period, which typically sees a spike in retail theft. Residents should be aware that while some categories are trending downward, the overall crime rate remains elevated compared to the UK, with violence and sexual offences continuing to dominate the local crime profile.

Dartford’s crime rate in November 2024 fell by 6.8% compared to the previous month, dropping from 9.5 to 8.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as November’s shorter days and reduced retail activity may contribute to lower foot traffic in high-risk areas. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 37 incidents, a figure that underscores the persistent nature of crime in the area despite the monthly decrease. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 113 residents, a ratio that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the population. When contextualised against Dartford’s population of 125,011, this suggests that while the overall rate is lower than October, the area remains above the UK average. The shift in crime mix—particularly the reduction in burglary and possession of weapons—may reflect targeted policing efforts or temporary changes in criminal activity linked to November’s calendar. However, the sustained elevation in property-related offences like shoplifting indicates ongoing challenges that require attention.