Gillingham (Dorset) Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Gillingham (Dorset) in September 2025 reveals a distinct balance of crime types that reflects both local characteristics and seasonal influences. With a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 54.1% below the UK average of 7.4, underscoring its relative safety compared to national benchmarks. Anti-social behaviour dominates the crime mix, accounting for 36.8% of total incidents, a proportion that may be influenced by the area's built-up nature and community dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, though lower than the UK average (69% below), represent 23.7% of reported crimes, suggesting a mix of local and national factors shaping this category. The rise in shoplifting and criminal damage and arson, alongside the drop in violence, hints at seasonal shifts tied to back-to-school and university freshers' activities. As nights draw in and the academic year begins, these patterns may reflect increased youth activity and changes in public spaces. The low rate of property crimes compared to the UK average—particularly in other theft (20% below) and shoplifting (51% below)—suggests a community where retail and property crime are not major concerns, due to lower foot traffic or effective local policing. This balance of crime types illustrates a small built-up area where social and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping the local crime picture, even as it remains safer than the UK average.

September 2025 saw a 200.0% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This sharp rise may be linked to seasonal transitions, with longer nights and potential increases in vandalism during autumn. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 25.0%, from 12 to 9, a decline that contrasts with the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (69% below). This category's drop may reflect the impact of back-to-school initiatives or reduced social interactions during the month. Anti-social behaviour. (from 15 to 14), remains the most common crime type at 36.8% of total incidents. Its rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 3% above the UK average, suggesting localised factors such as community dynamics or environmental conditions. Shoplifting rose by 100.0% to 3 incidents, a figure 51% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, indicating a balance between local retail activity and broader trends.

Gillingham's crime rate in September 2025 rose by 12.0% compared to August 2025, moving from 3.0 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, aligns with seasonal patterns as the area transitions from summer to autumn. Locally, this translates to roughly one reported crime per day across the 30-day period, a figure that may resonate with residents as a tangible measure of daily safety. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 298 residents, a statistic that contextualises the monthly exposure in terms of population density and community size. When viewed alongside the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, Gillingham's rate remains lower, but the 12% month-on-month rise suggests a dynamic interplay between local factors and broader seasonal rhythms. This shift may reflect changes in activity patterns, such as the return to school and university term start, which could influence both crime types and reporting behaviours. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that while the rate is low, the absolute number of crimes is not negligible in a small built-up area like Gillingham.