Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Gillingham's (Dorset) crime profile in November 2024, accounting for nearly 30% of all reported incidents. With a total crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents — 60.5% below the UK average of 7.6 — the area remains significantly safer than the national benchmark. The breakdown shows a stark contrast between violent crime (10 incidents) and property crime (18 incidents), though neither category matches the UK's typical distribution. Seasonal factors likely play a role in this pattern: the lead-up to Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping may have influenced both violent and property crime trends. While violent offences remain the most prominent category, their rate (0.9 per 1,000) is 65% below the UK average, suggesting local characteristics such as community cohesion or policing strategies may contribute to this gap. Property crime, though lower than the UK average, reflects a mix of thefts and vehicle-related incidents. The relatively low overall rate — particularly when compared to other built-up areas in Dorset — aligns with Gillingham's position as a smaller, less densely populated town where crime prevention initiatives may be more effectively implemented. However, the seasonal context of November, with shorter daylight hours and heightened retail activity, may have created conditions where certain crimes are more likely to occur. The interplay between local demographics, policing presence, and seasonal rhythms likely shapes these patterns, though further analysis would be needed to confirm specific causal links.

November 2024 saw significant shifts in Gillingham's crime profile compared to October, with some categories surging while others declined sharply. Other theft incidents rose by 100% — from 3 to 6 — a jump that may reflect increased retail activity around Black Friday. Robbery also doubled, with one incident reported for the first time in the month. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 88.9%, dropping from 18 to 2, a decline that could be attributed to reduced parking congestion or seasonal changes in vehicle usage. Anti-social behaviour fell by 70%, from 10 to 3, though this remains well below the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000. The most striking contrast to national trends is in violence and sexual offences, which remain 65% below the UK average despite a 41.2% month-on-month decrease. This suggests that local factors — such as community policing efforts or demographic characteristics — are maintaining Gillingham's lower-than-average violent crime rates. The category of 'possession of weapons' rose slightly above the UK average by 67%. Residents may find the 100% increase in other theft particularly relevant, as it highlights a specific risk during high-traffic periods. These fluctuations underscore the need for ongoing monitoring of seasonal crime patterns in the area.

Gillingham's (Dorset) crime rate in November 2024 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, a 48.5% decline from October's rate of 5.8. This drop positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with its overall rate 60.5% below the national average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day in November — a figure that, while low, may appear higher to residents due to the visibility of certain incidents. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 333 residents illustrates the relative rarity of crime in Gillingham compared to larger urban centres. This statistic is particularly notable when considering the town's built-up area classification, as smaller communities often face different crime dynamics than sprawling metropolitan regions. The comparison to the UK average also reveals stark contrasts: for example, anti-social behaviour in Gillingham was 73% below the national rate, while vehicle crime was 55% below. These differences may reflect Gillingham's status as a commuter town with fewer nightlife venues than major cities, or its strong local policing presence. The 1-in-333 figure, while seemingly small, serves as a reminder that even minor fluctuations in crime rates can have visible impacts on residents' perceptions of safety. When viewed in the context of the area's population size (11,325), the monthly crime total of 34 incidents underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention measures in maintaining a low overall rate.