Dover Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dover's crime profile in April 2024 reveals a combination of seasonal pressures and persistent challenges. The area's overall crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents — 14.3% above the UK average — reflects a combination of factors tied to its coastal location and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 42.2% of all incidents (443 cases), a rate of 3.7 per 1,000 that is 45% higher than the UK average. This surge in violent crime may be linked to the Easter holiday period, which typically sees increased foot traffic in Dover's town centre and coastal areas. Anti-social behaviour (153 cases) and criminal damage (109 cases) also contributed significantly to the overall rate, with both categories showing marked deviations from national averages. The seasonal context of April — transitioning from spring into early summer — likely influenced patterns, as warmer weather and Easter-related events may have increased outdoor activity and associated risks. While public order offences (62 cases) were 6% below the UK average, other theft (60 cases) and shoplifting (55 cases) showed mixed trends, with the latter category 25% below the national figure. This suggests that local retail environments may have implemented effective deterrents, though the absence of comparable data for other UK areas limits definitive conclusions. The overall picture underscores the need for targeted policing strategies during peak tourist seasons, while also acknowledging the role of broader socioeconomic factors in shaping Dover's crime profile.

April 2024 saw a stark shift in Dover's crime profile, with robbery cases surging by 150% (from 2 to 5) — the most dramatic monthly increase in the dataset. This spike contrasts sharply with the 39% rise in vehicle crime (41 to 57) and 37% increase in 'other crime' (27 to 37), both of which suggest growing vulnerabilities in specific areas. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and drug-related offences declined, with possession of weapons dropping by 33.3% (18 to 12) and drug offences falling by 30.3% (33 to 23). Dover's violent crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 (42.2% of total crimes) is 45% above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a disparity that may reflect the town's coastal tourism infrastructure and seasonal activity patterns. The 5.4% increase in vehicle crime aligns with Easter-related traffic movements, while the 150% rise in robbery warrants scrutiny of high-footfall areas during the spring break period.

Dover's crime rate in April 2024 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 4.0% increase from March's 8.4 per 1,000. This places the area 14.3% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that has widened slightly over the past year. On a daily basis, the local figure shows an average of 35 crimes reported each day in April, reflecting the persistent pressure on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 114 residents, a ratio that underscores the frequency of incidents in a population of 119,768. While this monthly exposure rate is consistent with previous months, the upward trend in violent crime and property-related offences suggests a need for targeted interventions. The population context reveals that Dover's crime profile, while not exceptionally high nationally, requires closer attention to specific categories such as violence and anti-social behaviour, which remain elevated compared to the UK average.