Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Gillingham (Dorset) maintained a crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents in October 2025, significantly below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This 41.6% deficit reflects a broader trend of lower crime in rural and semi-rural areas, where population density and community cohesion may act as natural deterrents to certain types of offences. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.4% of all reported incidents. This aligns with patterns seen in small towns where interpersonal disputes and alcohol-related incidents often dominate. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 21.6%, a figure 21% below the UK average, suggesting local efforts in community policing or social services may be contributing to this reduction. Seasonal factors also played a role: as clocks went back and evenings darkened, the context of Halloween likely influenced both the timing and nature of reported crimes. For instance, the spike in criminal damage and arson may be partially explained by increased youth activity or the use of pyrotechnics. However, the absence of a corresponding rise in other categories like public order or vehicle crime indicates that the area’s crime profile remains distinct from larger urban centres. The overall low crime rate, despite the October increase, underscores the effectiveness of local strategies in maintaining public safety, though the sharp rise in specific offences deserves closer attention in future reports.

The most striking shift in October 2025 was the 166.7% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 8 incidents. This surge, while unexplained by the data, may be linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween, when vandalism and pyrotechnic-related incidents often spike. Concurrently, burglary and possession of weapons each doubled, with the latter reaching a rate 186% above the UK average. These increases contrast with declines in shoplifting (-33.3%) and other theft (-75%), suggesting a shift in criminal focus toward property damage and weapons-related offences. Violent crimes, though remaining 51% below the UK average, accounted for 29.4% of total incidents—highlighting a persistent emphasis on interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 21.4%, potentially reflecting community efforts or the impact of darker evenings reducing public congregation. These fluctuations underscore the need for localized analysis, as national averages may not fully capture the unique rhythms of a built-up area like Gillingham.

The crime rate in Gillingham (Dorset) rose by 33.9% from 3.4 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents in October 2025 compared to the previous month. This increase, while notable, remains 41.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly two crimes per day in October, a figure that aligns with the built-up nature of the area and its proximity to rural surroundings. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 222 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests relatively low risk for most residents. However, this aggregate figure masks variations in specific crime types, such as the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson. The population context is critical here: with 11,325 residents, the area’s small size means that even modest changes in crime numbers can appear significant when scaled per capita. These figures should be interpreted with awareness of local factors, such as seasonal transitions and community dynamics, which may influence both crime reporting and actual incidents.