Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Gillingham (Dorset) continues to demonstrate a crime profile markedly lower than the UK average, with a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents in August 2025—63% below the national figure of 8.1. This consistent underperformance relative to the UK highlights the area’s unique characteristics, likely influenced by its small population and rural context within a larger county. The breakdown of crimes reveals anti-social behaviour as the most prevalent category, accounting for 44.1% of all reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (35.3%). These figures contrast sharply with UK averages, where anti-social behaviour is 1.5 per 1,000 and violence and sexual offences are 2.9 per 1,000. The seasonal context of August, a peak holiday month in Dorset, may have contributed to the rise in anti-social behaviour, though the overall low crime rate suggests that community factors—such as tight-knit social networks or effective local policing—play a role in maintaining safety. Meanwhile, property crimes, including burglary and theft, were significantly below UK averages, reflecting the area’s lower risk profile. This pattern is consistent with rural and semi-rural areas, where crime rates tend to be lower due to lower population density and higher levels of community cohesion. The data underscores Gillingham’s position as a relatively safe area, even as it navigates the challenges of seasonal fluctuations.

August 2025 marked a stark contrast in crime trends within Gillingham (Dorset). Anti-social behaviour saw a 150% increase, rising from six to 15 incidents—a surge that may reflect heightened community activity during the summer months. This category alone accounted for 44.1% of all reported crimes, significantly outpacing its UK average of 1.5 per 1,000. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 80%, dropping from five to one incident, likely due to reduced vandalism during the busy tourist season. The area also recorded a 62% deficit in violent crimes compared to the UK average, with 12 incidents reported. This includes a 20% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which may be linked to increased community engagement or police presence. Other theft and burglary rates were 61% and 63% below the UK average, respectively, reinforcing the area’s overall safety profile despite the rise in anti-social behaviour.

Gillingham (Dorset) recorded a crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents in August 2025, a 2.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.1. This slight decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as August typically sees a shift in activity due to school holidays and increased tourism. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s small population and relatively quiet nature. When scaled to the population of 11,325, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 333 residents. This statistic provides a tangible sense of risk for local residents, contextualising the data beyond raw numbers. The consistent low crime rate, particularly in violent and property crimes, suggests that community factors—such as strong local policing or a tightly knit population—may contribute to this trend. These findings position Gillingham as an outlier compared to the UK average, where crime rates are significantly higher, and highlight the area’s ability to maintain safety despite seasonal fluctuations.