Dover Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 119,768, Dover’s 944 reported crimes in March 2023 equate to a crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents—3.9% above the UK average of 7.6. This rate, while modest compared to larger urban areas, underscores the challenges faced by a coastal town balancing tourism, residential communities, and commercial activity. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.6% of all incidents. This was followed by anti-social behaviour (12.7%) and criminal damage and arson (12.4%). The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and clocks changing, may have contributed to the elevated levels of violent crime, as outdoor activity increases and social interactions shift. While anti-social behaviour and public order offences were below the UK average, the sharp rise in criminal damage—67% above national levels—suggests targeted issues, possibly linked to the town’s infrastructure or environmental factors. The mix of crime types reflects Dover’s unique profile, where tourism-related activity coexists with a compact residential base, creating distinct pressures on local policing and community safety initiatives.

March 2023 saw a significant divergence in crime type distribution compared to the UK average. Violence and sexual offences, at 45.6% of all crimes, were 31% above the UK rate of 2.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast may partly explain the overall 3.9% above UK average crime rate for Dover. Conversely, public order offences were 22% below the UK average, and vehicle crime fell 58% short of national levels, likely reflecting Dover’s limited urban density and lower traffic congestion compared to major cities. The mix of violent and property crimes also shifted, with violent crimes comprising 45.6% of the total—substantially higher than the UK average of 31% for the same category. For residents, the daily crime count of 30 incidents offers a concrete reference point for understanding local risk levels.

In March 2023, Dover recorded 944 crimes, translating to an average of 30 crimes reported each day. This daily figure provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents, though it does not account for fluctuations in reporting patterns or seasonal variations. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 127 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of crime relative to Dover’s population of 119,768. This rate is consistent with the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential, commercial, and tourism-related activity. While daily crime numbers may seem high, the population-scaled perspective reveals that the overall rate is relatively modest compared to larger urban centres. However, the distribution of crime types—particularly the elevated rates of violence and criminal damage—highlights specific vulnerabilities that may warrant targeted local measures.