Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Gillingham (Dorset)

Gillingham (Dorset), a vibrant urban settlement, reports an overall crime rate of 44.1 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places Gillingham (Dorset) well below the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The safety score for the area stands at a commendable 90 out of 100, which is significantly higher than the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Gillingham (Dorset) has experienced a positive development, with a substantial 20.0% decrease in its year-over-year crime figures. This introduction provides a concise overview of Gillingham (Dorset)'s crime landscape, setting the context for a more detailed analysis of its specific crime types and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis in Gillingham (Dorset)

An examination of Gillingham (Dorset)'s crime statistics reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' are the most prevalent category, accounting for 186 crimes (16.4 per 1,000 residents), representing 37.3% of the total reported incidents. 'Anti-social behaviour' follows as the second most common, with 98 crimes (8.7 per 1,000, 19.6% of total), indicating some public order concerns. 'Other theft' ranks as the third highest crime type, with 50 incidents (4.4 per 1,000, 10.0% of total), highlighting issues related to miscellaneous theft.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes categories such as burglary, other theft, shoplifting, vehicle crime, and robbery, Gillingham (Dorset) records a rate of 14.9 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000. Specific figures show burglary at 21 crimes (1.9 per 1,000, 4.2% of total) and vehicle crime at 17 crimes (1.5 per 1,000, 3.4% of total). For residents and homeowners in Gillingham (Dorset), while the overall property crime rate is below the national average, the presence of other theft and shoplifting indicates a need for vigilance, particularly in commercial areas and regarding personal belongings.

Crime Trends in Gillingham (Dorset)

Gillingham (Dorset) has experienced a very positive and significant shift in its crime figures, with a year-over-year decrease of 20.0%. This indicates a substantial improvement in the town's overall safety profile compared to the previous year. Examining the monthly trend data further illustrates this downward trajectory. Crime rates per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 3.0 in November 2024 and experiencing a peak in January 2025 at 4.5, but then generally decreased, settling at 4.5 in October 2025. This consistent reduction in crime rates is a reassuring sign for Gillingham (Dorset) residents, suggesting that efforts to improve safety are having a positive impact and contributing to a more secure community environment.

How To Keep Safe in Gillingham (Dorset)

With 'Violence and sexual offences' being the most prevalent crime type in Gillingham (Dorset), personal safety should be a key consideration for residents. While the town maintains a good safety score, adopting proactive measures can significantly enhance your security.

Firstly, when out in Gillingham (Dorset), especially in public areas or during evenings, be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or secluded spots. Secondly, if you are socialising, ensure you have a plan for getting home safely, such as pre-booking a taxi or arranging a lift. Thirdly, avoid escalating confrontational situations and try to remove yourself if you feel threatened. Lastly, report any instances of violence or suspicious behaviour to the local police immediately, as this helps to maintain the community's safety. These localised tips are important for navigating Gillingham (Dorset) securely.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Gillingham (Dorset)

Crime in Gillingham (Dorset) exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. In the 'Morning' period (6am-12pm), 'Theft' is the most prevalent crime type at 53%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 26%, with 'Burglary' and 'Vehicle' crimes also present. The 'Afternoon' (12pm-6pm) sees 'Theft' peaking at 56%, while 'Burglary' increases to 17%, and 'Other' crimes are 23%. This suggests a high incidence of opportunistic crimes during busy daylight hours.

As the day moves into 'Evening' (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes become the largest category at 48%, and 'Theft' reduces to 24%. 'Burglary' is 17%, and 'Vehicle' crime is 10%. During the 'Night' (12am-6am), 'Vehicle' crime becomes the dominant type at 29%, with 'Other' crimes at 34%, and 'Burglary' at 23%. 'Theft' is lowest at 13%. These patterns highlight specific periods when residents should be particularly attentive to different types of crime in Gillingham (Dorset).

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To better understand Gillingham (Dorset)'s crime rates, it's useful to examine its neighbouring areas. Gillingham (Dorset) has an overall crime rate of 44.1 per 1,000 people per year. In comparison, Motcombe reports a significantly lower rate of 18.3 crimes per 1,000 people/year, suggesting a safer environment. Areas such as Milton on Stour, East Stour, and West Stour report exceptionally low crime rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people/year. While these extremely low figures may indicate limited data, they highlight a regional contrast. This comparison helps residents understand Gillingham (Dorset)'s safety profile within its immediate locality, showing it to be moderately safe relative to its very low-crime neighbours.

Proactive Security for Your Gillingham (Dorset) Property

With Gillingham (Dorset)'s property crime rate at 14.9 per 1,000 people, which is considerably below the UK average, residents should still consider robust home security. Traditional security solutions often fall short by merely recording a crime after it's happened, offering little in the way of actual prevention.

For superior protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a proactive solution. Unlike typical cameras that provide footage of a burglary, scOS is engineered to prevent it by detecting threats at your property's boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, and advanced features such as DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly. scOS learns your household's routines, accurately distinguishing between normal activity and genuine threats, thereby minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to deter intruders effectively, often causing them to move on within the first minute. Investing in such professional-grade, proactive security ensures your Gillingham (Dorset) home is safeguarded with advanced deterrence, offering true peace of mind.