Aylesham Crime Rate

Aylesham is a secure urban settlement within the Dover local authority, featuring an overall crime rate of 56.7 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.1, resulting in a high safety score of 87/100. Despite this positive standing, the area has experienced a 14.3% increase in crime over the past year, a trend that warrants attention from residents and local businesses. The property crime rate sits at 20.3, which remains well below the UK average of 32.9. While Aylesham is statistically one of the safer areas in the region, the recent upward trend suggests a shift in the local landscape. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime types, monthly trends, and safety advice to help the community stay protected.

Crime Breakdown in Aylesham

In Aylesham, the primary crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 163 reported incidents, or 37.7% of all crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (18.5%) and shoplifting (12.5%). While these figures highlight personal safety and public order as key areas of concern, property-related crime remains a significant factor for the local community.

The overall property crime rate in Aylesham is 20.3 per 1,000 people. This encompasses a range of offences including burglary (3.7%), vehicle crime (3.9%), and other theft (5.3%). Shoplifting is particularly prominent here, making up one-eighth of all reported crimes. For residents and homeowners, this means that while the area maintains a high safety score, there is a consistent level of opportunist theft and property interference. Criminal damage and arson also contribute nearly 10% to the total, suggesting that property is frequently a target for both deliberate and opportunistic offences. Protecting homes and local businesses from these varied threats is essential for maintaining Aylesham's residential security.

Crime Trends in Aylesham

The annual data for Aylesham shows a 14.3% increase in total crime compared to the previous year. This upward trend is reflected in the monthly fluctuations, with significant peaks observed in the summer months. Specifically, July 2025 saw the highest crime rate of the year at 7.7 per 1,000 people, followed by August at 6.4.

In contrast, the end of 2024 was much quieter, with December recording a low of 2.9 per 1,000. The recent data from October 2025 shows the rate climbing back up to 5.9, suggesting that the increase is sustained. For residents, this means that while Aylesham remains a high-safety area overall, there is a clear need for increased awareness and improved security measures to counter the rising volume of local incidents. Monitoring these trends is vital for understanding when the community might be at higher risk.

How To Keep Safe in Aylesham

The highest crime type in Aylesham is violence and sexual offences, representing 37.7% of all reports. While the overall volume is low compared to national averages, personal safety remains a priority.

1. Stay alert when walking through the village at night; use well-lit main roads and avoid poorly lit alleys or isolated footpaths.
2. If you are a business owner, ensure your shoplifting prevention measures are robust, as this is the third most common crime in the area.
3. Be mindful of anti-social behaviour in public spaces; if you witness a group causing a disturbance, do not engage directly and report it to the local authorities.
4. Secure all windows and doors, especially at night, as burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur in the early morning hours.
5. Consider joining or forming a local community watch group to share information and improve the collective security of your neighbourhood.

Crime Time Patterns in Aylesham

Criminal activity in Aylesham follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning and afternoon, theft and shoplifting are the dominant concerns, accounting for 41% and 46% of crimes respectively. This suggests that commercial areas and residential properties are most at risk during standard business hours when footfall is high or homes are left empty.

As evening approaches, the focus shifts toward anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which fall under the 'other' category and make up 60% of reports between 6pm and midnight. The night-time period (12am to 6am) sees a sharp rise in property-specific risks; vehicle crime jumps to 31% and burglary to 15%. This data indicates that while the daytime is more prone to opportunist theft, the night-time hours are when vehicles and homes are most vulnerable to targeted criminal activity.

Aylesham's crime profile is best understood when compared to its immediate neighbours. It is significantly safer than the main urban hub of Dover, yet it has a higher crime rate than the very small, tranquil villages of Adisham, Kingston, and Barham, all of which recorded zero crimes in the latest period. Compared to Nonington, which has a crime rate of 47.5, Aylesham is slightly more active. This suggests that as a larger built-up area, Aylesham experiences more of the typical urban challenges like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour than its more rural counterparts, though it remains a very safe choice within the Kent countryside.

With Aylesham's property crime rate at 20.3 per 1,000 and a rising trend of 14.3% year-over-year, the limitations of traditional security are becoming more apparent. Standard CCTV systems are reactive; they provide evidence after a crime has been committed, which often does little to help recover stolen property or alleviate the stress of a break-in. In a growing community like Aylesham, proactive protection is a more effective strategy.

scOS represents the next generation of home security, using AI to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's boundaries 24/7, scOS can identify potential threats—such as someone loitering or scouting a vehicle—long before they attempt to enter. The system’s multi-camera intelligence learns your family's routines and only alerts you to real threats. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly spot suspicious cars with fake plates. For Aylesham residents, this means moving from simply recording a crime to actively deterring it, ensuring your home remains a safe haven.