Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Gillingham’s crime profile in January 2025, accounting for nearly half (45.1%) of all reported crimes. This category’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents is 20% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, yet the overall crime rate for the area—4.5 per 1,000—remains 36.6% lower than the national average of 7.1. The contrast between the high proportion of violent crimes and the low overall rate may partly reflect Gillingham’s character as a smaller built-up area within Dorset, where community dynamics and local policing could contribute to lower rates of property crimes. Seasonal factors in January, including reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, may have dampened opportunities for shoplifting and public order offences, which both fell significantly below UK averages. However, the concentration of violent crimes suggests a need for targeted interventions, particularly in areas with high social interaction or limited surveillance. The 51 recorded crimes across 11,325 residents represent a relatively low monthly exposure, with one crime occurring for every 222 residents over the month. While the overall rate remains stable compared to previous years, the seasonal context—post-holiday lull and reduced outdoor activity—may have played a role in shaping these patterns.

January 2025 saw sharp increases in robbery, shoplifting, and other crime, each rising by 100% compared to December 2024. Robbery, which had not been recorded in the previous month, now accounts for 2.0% of total crimes, matching the UK average rate of 0.1 per 1,000. Similarly, shoplifting surged from zero to five incidents, a 35% improvement over the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. These spikes may reflect specific local factors, such as changes in retail activity or temporary disruptions to security measures. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, dropping from four to two incidents, possibly due to seasonal factors or increased community vigilance. The overall crime mix remains skewed toward violence and anti-social behaviour, with property crimes making up only 25.5% of the total. This imbalance contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. For residents, the significant rise in shoplifting—now the fourth most common crime—may prompt calls for enhanced retail security measures. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, at 0.8 per 1,000, remains 18% below the UK average, suggesting that local efforts to address nuisance crimes may be effective.

Gillingham’s crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 in January 2025 marks a 33.9% increase from December 2024’s rate of 3.4 per 1,000. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, translates to roughly two crimes per day in the built-up area, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a small community. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure of one crime for every 222 residents suggests a relatively low risk profile compared to larger urban centres. However, the shift in crime composition—particularly the surge in robbery and shoplifting—highlights the vulnerability of specific sectors, such as retail and public spaces. The UK average of 7.1 per 1,000 underscores Gillingham’s continued position as a safer area, though the recent uptick in certain categories may warrant closer attention. Daily crime statistics, while not directly comparable to national figures, provide a local perspective: over 31 days, 51 crimes occurred, averaging 1.65 per day. This rate is significantly lower than the UK’s daily equivalent (which would be approximately 3.4 per day based on the 7.1 per 1,000 annual rate). The combination of low overall crime and the concentration of violent offences suggests that Gillingham’s built-up area has unique characteristics—a balance of community cohesion and limited opportunities for property crime—worth further exploration.