Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a community of 11,325 residents, 70 crimes in May 2023 translate to a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people—22.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure places Gillingham (Dorset) among the safer built-up areas in England. increase from April 2023 (5.1 per 1,000) indicates a recent uptick in criminal activity. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.4% of all incidents (29 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.1%, 12 cases) and criminal damage and arson (12.9%, 9 cases). These patterns may be influenced by May’s longer evenings and bank holidays, which often correlate with increased outdoor drinking and socialising in smaller towns. The area’s relatively low violent crime rate compared to the UK average (2.6 vs 2.8 per 1,000) suggests effective local policing or community cohesion, though the 29% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson (0.8 vs 0.6 per 1,000) raises questions about property-related tensions. Seasonal factors, such as the transition from spring to summer, likely play a role in shaping these trends, with warmer weather and extended daylight hours contributing to both increased social activity and associated risks. The low rate of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and other theft (0.2 per 1,000) further highlight the area’s distinct profile compared to larger urban centres, where transport-related crime is more prevalent.

May 2023 saw a 200% increase in shoplifting, rising from 1 to 3 incidents—a sharp rise that may reflect the start of the summer retail season or increased foot traffic in local stores. Anti-social behaviour also doubled, with 12 incidents reported, the highest monthly total since at least April 2023. This surge aligns with May’s longer evenings and bank holidays, which may contribute to more outdoor socialising and associated disturbances. Meanwhile, other theft fell by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), suggesting potential success in local crime prevention efforts or changes in offender behaviour. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category (41.4% of total crimes).6 per 1,000 was 6% below the UK average. Possession of weapons rose from zero to one incident—a 100% increase—though this remains a rare occurrence in the area. These shifts underscore how seasonal factors and local dynamics can influence crime trends even within a low-crime built-up area.

Gillingham (Dorset) saw a 20.7% increase in its crime rate from April 2023 (5.1 per 1,000) to May 2023 (6.2 per 1,000). This rise, while notable, still places the area 22.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that reflects the localised nature of criminal activity in a built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 162 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests relatively low individual risk compared to larger urban centres. This context is important for residents: while the overall rate has risen, the scale of crime remains modest in a community of just over 11,000 people. The population-scaled perspective shows that even with the 20.7% increase, the absolute number of crimes remains low relative to the area’s size, which may partly explain why localised factors—such as seasonal drinking patterns or community events—play a more significant role in shaping crime trends than broader socioeconomic pressures.