Aylesham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

December 2023 marked a notable shift in Aylesham's crime profile, with the most dramatic month-on-month change being the 600% surge in anti-social behaviour. This built-up area within Dover, home to 7,622 residents, recorded 40 total crimes, translating to a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 people—26.4% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.5% of all reported incidents (15 cases), a rate 24% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 17.5% of the total (7 cases), while criminal damage and arson (4 cases) and shoplifting (4 cases) rounded out the top four categories. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping these patterns, as December is traditionally a period of increased retail activity, holiday gatherings, and extended periods of darkness, all of which can influence crime dynamics. The area's relatively low crime rate compared to national averages may reflect a combination of effective local policing, community cohesion, and the characteristics of Aylesham itself as a built-up area within Dover, where proximity to coastal tourism and urban infrastructure may create a unique crime profile. While the spike in anti-social behaviour raises questions about localised pressures during the festive season, the overall safety of the area remains evident, with property crimes (14 cases) and violent crimes (15 cases) both contributing to a balanced crime mix that contrasts with the UK's broader trends.

December 2023 witnessed a 600% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 1 to 7 incidents, the most dramatic month-on-month change recorded. This spike, coupled with a 300% rise in criminal damage and arson (from 1 to 4), signals a shift in local crime patterns during the festive period. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 37.5% of all reported crimes, but this rate (2.0 per 1,000) was 24% below the UK average. Conversely, shoplifting rates in Aylesham (0.5 per 1,000) were 2% above the national average, a minor anomaly in an otherwise safer-than-average area. The sharp decline in drugs-related crimes (-50%) and other theft (-33.3%) suggests seasonal factors may have influenced both increases and decreases, with holiday-related activity potentially driving some categories while reducing others. For residents, the 600% rise in anti-social behaviour highlights the need for heightened awareness during peak festive periods.

Aylesham's crime rate in December 2023 rose 60.1% compared to November 2023, marking a significant upward shift. This increase, from 3.3 to 5.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, reflects a localised fluctuation in reported incidents despite the area's overall safety profile remaining below the UK average. Daily crime statistics show 1.3 crimes reported per day on average, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity in a built-up area with a population of 7,622. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 191 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to national benchmarks. This figure, while modest, highlights the importance of community vigilance during periods of seasonal activity, such as holiday shopping and festive events, which may influence local crime dynamics. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Aylesham's residents face a crime risk significantly lower than the UK average, with only 5.3 crimes per 1,000 people compared to 7.2 nationally. This contrast suggests that local factors, including policing strategies or community engagement initiatives, may contribute to the area's resilience against crime, even during months with notable fluctuations.