Dover Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dover's crime rate in April 2023 stood at 8.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 14.7% above the UK average of 7.5. This marked a notable deviation from the national trend, with violence and sexual offences emerging as the dominant category, accounting for 41.7% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage followed closely, reflecting patterns often observed in coastal towns with seasonal fluctuations in population and activity. The spring weather, coupled with the Easter period, likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may have influenced the distribution of crimes. Violence and sexual offences in Dover were 38% above the UK average, with a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 compared to the national 2.6 per 1,000. This divergence suggests a combination of local factors, including the town's proximity to major transport routes and its role as a gateway to the continent, which could heighten exposure to certain types of crime. Anti-social behaviour, while slightly above the UK average, showed a more moderate increase, indicating a combination of community dynamics and external influences. The seasonal context of April—characterised by longer evenings and the Easter break—may have also played a role in shaping the crime profile, particularly in areas with high foot traffic such as the town centre and coastal promenades. These patterns align with observations in other coastal towns where transient populations and increased tourism can impact local crime statistics.

April 2023 saw a 100% increase in theft from the person, rising from zero to five incidents. This dramatic jump highlights a shift in criminal activity that may be linked to the Easter period, when tourist footfall typically increases. Concurrently, vehicle crime surged by 89.3%, with incidents rising from 28 to 53. This could be attributed to the Easter holidays, during which more vehicles remain unattended in public spaces or on residential streets. In contrast, robbery incidents fell by 55.6%, dropping from nine to four, reflecting a seasonal reduction in high-risk opportunities during the Easter weekend. Other crime also rose sharply by 80%, from 20 to 36 cases, suggesting a broader uptick in non-specific criminal activity. Dover’s rate for violence and sexual offences was 38% above the UK average, with 430 incidents recorded. This disparity underscores the need for targeted policing strategies in areas where such crimes are concentrated. Meanwhile, public order offences were 6% below the UK average, a trend that may be influenced by local initiatives or community engagement efforts. The data also reveals that theft from the person is now 100% above the UK average, a stark contrast to other categories like shoplifting, which were 17% below the national rate. These variations illustrate the nuanced nature of crime in Dover, where certain types of offences are affected by local conditions and seasonal factors.

Dover’s crime rate in April 2023 was 8.6 per 1,000, an increase of 9.3% compared to the previous month’s rate of 7.9 per 1,000. This upward trend suggests a gradual escalation in criminal activity over the early part of the year. On a daily basis, Dover recorded approximately 34 crimes per day in April, a figure that provides a concrete snapshot of the frequency of incidents faced by residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 116 residents, a monthly exposure rate that offers insight into the scale of crime in relation to the population. With a population of 119,768, this translates to a relatively high level of crime per capita compared to the UK average. The comparison with the UK average highlights specific areas of divergence: violence and sexual offences in Dover were 38% above the national rate, while public order offences were 6% below. These discrepancies may reflect differences in local policing priorities, demographic characteristics, or the influence of transient populations. The increase in vehicle crime and theft from the person, which both saw significant month-on-month rises, may also indicate vulnerabilities in specific sectors, such as parking areas or high-traffic zones. These figures, when contextualised within Dover’s population size and geographical profile, underscore the importance of targeted interventions to address the most pressing crime concerns while maintaining vigilance in areas where the rate remains below the national average.