Aylesham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Aylesham's crime profile in October 2023 reveals a marked divergence from the UK average, with a total crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents—33.8% below the national figure of 8.0 per 1,000. This statistic positions the built-up area within Dover as one of the safer regions in the UK, though the distribution of crime types suggests localized challenges. Violence and sexual offences (14 incidents, 35% of total) remain the most prevalent category, yet their rate (1.8 per 1,000) is 33% below the UK average. Vehicle crime (7 incidents, 17.5% of total) and criminal damage (5 incidents, 12.5% of total) emerged as notable areas of concern, with the former's rate (0.9 per 1,000) 73% above the UK average—a disparity that may reflect Aylesham's proximity to industrial and commercial zones. The seasonal context of October, with darker evenings and Halloween festivities, likely contributed to the 150% increase in criminal damage and arson, though the overall decline in violent crime (51.7%) suggests a possible correlation with the end of the academic year or reduced foot traffic during shorter daylight hours. These patterns, while distinct from larger urban centres, align with the characteristics of a small built-up area where community cohesion and limited public spaces may moderate certain crime types but amplify others.

October 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with vehicle crime surging by 133% (3 to 7 incidents) and criminal damage and arson increasing by 150% (2 to 5 incidents). These rises, though still below the UK average for vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000), highlight vulnerabilities in Aylesham's infrastructure, particularly around industrial zones where unattended vehicles are more common. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 66.7% (9 to 3 incidents), a drop that aligns with the 69% gap below the UK average for this category. The most notable shift was in violent crime, which declined by 51.7% (29 to 14 incidents), bringing the rate to 1.8 per 1,000—33% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. For residents, the 1-in-191 monthly exposure figure offers a concrete reference point for assessing local safety, though the sharp rise in vehicle crime underscores the need for vigilance in parking areas near Dover's commercial hubs.

Aylesham's crime rate in October 2023 (5.3 per 1,000 residents) marks a 28.6% decline from the previous month's rate of 7.4 per 1,000. This downward trend contrasts with the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, placing Aylesham 33.8% below the national figure. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported incident per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may reflect the area's compact built-up nature and proximity to Dover's urban core. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 191 residents, a ratio that suggests a relatively low monthly exposure compared to larger urban areas. This statistic, when contextualised against Aylesham's population of 7,622, highlights the area's generally safer profile, though the localised nature of some crimes—such as vehicle theft near industrial sites—may skew perceptions of risk. The monthly exposure figure, while not directly comparable to UK-wide data, provides residents with a tangible benchmark for understanding crime frequency in their community.