Dover Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Dover, 6.5 crimes were recorded in February 2025 — 3% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This translates to a roughly 1-in-155 chance of a resident encountering a crime over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 40.2% of all reported crimes, significantly above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 11.4%, but this was 28% below the UK average, likely reflecting the town's relatively compact urban layout and community-focused policing efforts. Shoplifting, at 10.4% of total crimes, also exceeded the UK average by 13%, possibly linked to Dover's retail hubs and tourist traffic during the winter months. Seasonal patterns in February — a period of low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull — may contribute to the dominance of indoor-related crimes like violence and anti-social behaviour, while reducing opportunities for outdoor offences such as burglary or vehicle crime. The area’s coastal location, with its mix of residential zones and commercial centres, likely shapes these patterns, as does its role as a major port city with transient populations that may influence certain crime types.

February 2025 saw a 33.3% increase in shoplifting, rising from 60 to 80 incidents. This jump may reflect the timing of seasonal retail promotions or increased foot traffic during the winter months. Conversely, robbery rates fell by 83.3% compared to January, dropping from six to just one incident — a shift that could indicate improved security measures or reduced opportunities in high-traffic areas. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, with a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents, 11% above the UK average. This category’s dominance is consistent with Dover’s urban character and the presence of nightlife and commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 28% below the UK average, due to local initiatives targeting nuisance crimes or the town’s smaller, more tightly knit communities. Public order offences fell by 43.8% compared to the previous month, linked to reduced public gatherings during the colder season.

Dover’s crime rate in February 2025 dropped 14.8% from January’s 7.6 per 1,000, marking a significant decline. This decrease aligns with the seasonal context of February — a time of reduced outdoor activity and lower tourist numbers — which may limit opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, Dover recorded approximately 28 crimes per day in February, a figure that provides a tangible sense of frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Dover slightly below the UK average for comparable areas. This statistic offers a population-scaled perspective: if a resident moved to Dover, they would statistically face a lower chance of encountering a crime compared to the national average, though specific categories like violence remain elevated. The reduction in burglary and robbery, combined with the stability of property crime rates, suggests that local efforts to enhance security in residential and commercial areas may be bearing fruit, particularly as the town transitions into a quieter, pre-spring period.