Stone (Dartford) Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a built-up area of 6,987 residents, 34 crimes in July 2023 equate to a rate of 4.9 per 1,000 people—41% below the UK average of 8.3. This figure places Stone (Dartford) among the safer areas in the country, though the absolute number of crimes still reflects localised patterns. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences (14 incidents, 41.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (7 incidents, 20.6%). These figures align with the area’s seasonal context: July, a peak summer month with schools out and festivals in full swing, likely contributing to higher incidents of public disorder and interpersonal conflicts. The lower-than-average rates for anti-social behaviour (30% below UK) and criminal damage (38% below) suggest that community-focused initiatives or the area’s compact nature may help mitigate such crimes. However, the presence of 14 violent offences—a category that includes sexual offences—raises questions about how local events or demographics interact with crime trends. While the overall rate is low, the dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted interventions during summer months, when outdoor events and extended social hours may increase opportunities for such offences. The data also shows that property crimes (11 total) accounted for 32% of incidents, with shoplifting and burglary both rising sharply compared to previous months, linked to increased foot traffic or retail activity. These trends should be viewed alongside the broader seasonal context: festivals, tourism, and school holidays may all play a role in shaping crime patterns here.

July 2023 saw sharp increases in specific crime types, with other theft surging by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents) and burglary and shoplifting both doubling (from 0 to 2 and 0 to 3 respectively). These jumps may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased retail activity during summer festivals or the timing of local events. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), and criminal damage and arson declined by 25% (from 4 to 3), potentially linked to heightened community engagement during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 41.2% of all crimes, though this rate is 28% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also lagged significantly behind national figures, underscoring Stone’s distinct crime profile. A resident would find the 200% rise in other theft particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a sudden shift in local criminal activity patterns.

Stone (Dartford) saw a 26.2% rise in its crime rate from 3.9 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents between June and July 2023. This translates to one reported crime for every 206 residents over the month, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. Daily, the area recorded roughly one crime per day, a statistic that may help residents gauge the frequency of incidents in their daily lives. When compared to the UK average, Stone’s crime rate remains significantly lower—41% below the national figure. This contrast highlights the area’s relative safety, though the month-on-month increase suggests a need to monitor trends closely. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that while the rate is low, the absolute number of crimes still reflects a localised pattern influenced by seasonal factors such as summer festivals and increased foot traffic.