Stone (Dartford) Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Stone (Dartford) maintained a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 in December 2023, a figure 45.8% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This performance places the area among the safest in the country, with the overall crime profile shaped by a combination of seasonal factors and local characteristics. The top three crime categories—violence and sexual offences (37% of total), shoplifting (33.3%), and other theft (11.1%)—reflect the built-up nature of the area and its proximity to retail hubs. The December season, marked by Christmas shopping, party season, and extended periods of darkness, likely influenced the distribution of crimes. For instance, the relatively high rate of shoplifting compared to the UK average may be attributed to the area’s proximity to Dartford town centre, which sees increased foot traffic during the festive period. Conversely, the lower-than-average rates for burglary and anti-social behaviour could be linked to the smaller population size and the temporary displacement of residents during the holidays. The decline in violent crimes, particularly the 9.1% reduction in violence and sexual offences from 11 to 10 incidents, may partly stem from reduced public gatherings and the closure of certain venues. However, the 165% above-UK-average rate for shoplifting suggests that local retail environments remain vulnerable to theft, even during periods of lower overall crime. These patterns are consistent with other similar-sized built-up areas in the southeast of England, where seasonal fluctuations and economic activity play a significant role in shaping crime profiles.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in drugs-related crimes, which increased by 100% from zero to one incident in December. This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential emerging trend requiring further monitoring. Shoplifting, the second most common crime category, rose by 12.5% to nine incidents, consistent with the pre-Christmas shopping rush. This increase, however, contrasts sharply with the UK average for shoplifting, which stood at 0.5 per 1,000—165% below the rate recorded in Stone (Dartford). Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson both fell by 50% and 75% respectively, likely influenced by the seasonal reduction in public gatherings and the closure of some venues during the festive period. The overall balance between property and violent crimes shifted slightly, with property crimes accounting for 52% of the total (14 out of 27), compared to 37% for violent crimes. This shift may reflect the timing of retail activity and the temporary absence of certain demographics during the holiday season.

Stone (Dartford) recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 in December 2023, a 27.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in built-up areas during December, when population movements shift due to holidays and reduced retail activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that remains consistent with historical trends in similar-sized communities. When scaled to the population of 6,987, this translates to one crime occurring for roughly every 259 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, reflecting the area’s relatively low crime profile. The reduction in violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences, may partly explain the overall downward trend, though other factors such as festive season dynamics and reduced public gatherings likely contribute. The daily crime context provides a tangible measure for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime remains low in comparison to national benchmarks.