Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Gillingham (Dorset) maintained a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 in February 2024, a figure 38% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This performance underscores the area’s relative safety, particularly in light of its built-up character and proximity to rural landscapes. The breakdown of crimes reveals that violence and sexual offences (21 incidents, 42% of total) remain the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (8 incidents, 16%) and burglary (4 incidents, 8%). These figures are consistent with seasonal patterns, as February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull likely reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. The dominance of violent crime, while 24% below the UK average, may be influenced by factors such as colder weather driving indoor gatherings, which could contribute to increased incidents of anti-social behaviour. The sharp rise in burglary, however, suggests potential vulnerabilities in residential security that may warrant further attention. Meanwhile, the decline in shoplifting—by 50% compared to January—aligns with seasonal trends, as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during winter months could limit opportunities for such crimes. The overall crime rate, while slightly higher than January’s 3.8 per 1,000, still places Gillingham well within the safer end of the UK’s crime spectrum. This consistency with national patterns highlights the importance of contextualising local data within broader geographic and demographic trends. For instance, the area’s built-up nature may contribute to higher rates of property crime compared to purely rural areas, while its proximity to open spaces could influence patterns of violent and public order offences. These dynamics illustrate the combination of environmental factors and crime rates, requiring a nuanced approach to local policing and community engagement.

February 2024 saw sharp increases in burglary, public order offences, and anti-social behaviour, each rising by 300%, 300%, and 166.7% respectively compared to January. These surges, from 1 to 4 incidents each, contrast with declines in shoplifting (-50%), other theft (-33.3%), and criminal damage and arson (-20%). The dominance of violent crime—accounting for 42% of all reported incidents—remains 24% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences. Anti-social behaviour also saw a significant rise, increasing from 3 to 8 incidents, while burglary in Gillingham exceeded the UK average by 33%, with 0.4 per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 0.3 per 1,000. This divergence may reflect local dynamics, such as the area’s built-up nature and potential vulnerabilities in residential security during colder months. The drop in shoplifting, meanwhile, aligns with seasonal trends, as February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull likely reduce opportunities for retail-related crimes. A concrete data point for residents is the 300% surge in burglary, which could prompt local authorities to review security measures in high-risk areas.

February 2024 marked a 16.3% increase in Gillingham’s crime rate, rising from 3.8 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This shift, while notable, remains significantly below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day over 29 days, a figure that reflects a steady but manageable pace of reported crime. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 227 residents, a metric that contextualises the monthly exposure within a population of 11,325. This rate, though slightly higher than the previous month, still places Gillingham among the safer built-up areas in the UK. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the increase, the likelihood of encountering crime remains relatively low compared to national trends. This consistency with broader UK patterns suggests that local factors—such as seasonal lulls in outdoor activity—may influence reporting rates more than systemic changes. The built-up nature of Gillingham, combined with its proximity to rural landscapes, may also contribute to a distinct crime profile that differs from both urban and purely rural areas. These dynamics underscore the importance of contextualising crime data within the specific geographic and demographic characteristics of the area.