Dartford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Dartford's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 8.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.5% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This elevated rate was driven by an outlier category: shoplifting, which occurred at 1.7 per 1,000 residents—198% higher than the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This stark disparity suggests unique local factors, potentially linked to Dartford's retail infrastructure or seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.9% of all crimes (323 incidents), a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 that was 4% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour (116 incidents) and criminal damage (105 incidents) also contributed significantly to the overall rate. The post-holiday period in January likely influenced these trends, with reduced retail footfall possibly dampening shoplifting compared to other months. However, the sheer gap in shoplifting rates compared to the UK average indicates a need for targeted interventions. The area's crime profile reflects a mix of urban and suburban characteristics, with property crimes (484 incidents) making up nearly half of all reported offences. This balance between property and violent crime is consistent with Dartford's role as a commuter town with commercial hubs, though the elevated shoplifting rate suggests specific vulnerabilities in retail environments. Seasonal context further complicates the picture, as January's shorter days and post-holiday lull may have reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes but not entirely mitigated the pressures driving shoplifting and other property-related offences.

January 2026 saw a sharp 80% increase in robbery, rising from 5 to 9 incidents. This spike contrasts with a 46.2% drop in theft from the person, which fell from 13 to 7. The shoplifting category remained 198% above the UK average at 1.7 per 1,000, a rate that dwarfs the national figure of 0.6 per 1,000. Meanwhile, violent crime rates (2.6 per 1,000) were 4% above the UK average, though this was a narrower gap than the shoplifting disparity. A notable 29.4% rise in 'other crime' (from 34 to 44 incidents) suggests unclassified activities may be contributing to the overall rate. Residents may find the 33.8% decrease in vehicle crime (from 74 to 49) a positive sign, though this still remained 8% above the UK average. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of local factors and broader trends.

Dartford's crime rate in January 2026 fell by 10.6% compared to the previous month, dropping from 9.4 to 8.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as January sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may temper outdoor crimes. Locally, 34 crimes were reported daily on average, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 120 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the scale of exposure compared to Dartford's population of 125,011. While this rate remains 23.5% above the UK average, the month-on-month reduction suggests a possible stabilisation in crime trends following the post-holiday period. The decrease in vehicle crime (-33.8%) and theft from the person (-46.2%) may reflect reduced public activity during colder weather, though these categories remain within UK average ranges.