Dover Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Dover’s crime profile in October 2025 reveals a notable shift in the balance between property and violent crimes, with the latter now dominating the overall rate. The district recorded 801 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents—13% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This disparity suggests that Dover’s unique geographic and demographic characteristics may contribute to its relatively lower crime levels compared to the national average. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 36% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.6%) and criminal damage and arson (9.9%). The dominance of violent crime over property crime marks a departure from earlier months and could reflect seasonal factors such as the transition to darker evenings after the clocks went back in October, as well as the influence of Halloween-related activity. While property crime remained a significant concern, with 273 cases (34% of the total), the relative decline in shoplifting (21% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (29% below) suggests that targeted efforts in these areas may be yielding some results. However, the 25% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average indicates a potential area for further investigation. The overall crime rate’s alignment with seasonal rhythms—such as the potential impact of reduced daylight hours on public safety—highlights the combination of environmental factors and local crime patterns. For a coastal town like Dover, where tourism and retail activity play a significant role, the seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings and Halloween—may have influenced both the frequency and type of crimes reported. The relatively low levels of theft from the person (100% below the UK average) and bicycle theft (100% below) could be attributed to the area’s lower student population and the presence of other deterrents, such as improved surveillance or community policing initiatives. Nonetheless, the increase in robbery cases and vehicle crime underscores the need for continued vigilance and adaptive strategies to address emerging trends. As the year progresses, monitoring these shifts will be critical to maintaining Dover’s current position below the UK average and identifying areas where further intervention may be necessary.

October 2025 saw a sharp 125% increase in robbery cases, rising from 4 to 9 incidents, a spike that may be linked to Halloween-related activity or increased foot traffic in certain areas. Vehicle crime also rose sharply, with an 117.6% increase from 17 to 37 cases, potentially reflecting seasonal changes in parking habits or increased vehicle theft opportunities during darker evenings. In contrast, theft from the person dropped by 75%, from 4 to 1, a decline that could indicate improved security measures or reduced pedestrian activity in high-risk zones. The balance between property and violent crime shifted with violent offences accounting for 36% of all crimes—higher than property crimes, which made up 34%—a reversal of earlier trends. This shift aligns with the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which were 10% below the national rate, though Dover’s violent crime rate remains lower than the UK average. The category of criminal damage and arson, however, was 25% above the UK average, suggesting localized issues that may require further attention.

Dover's crime rate for October 2025 stood at 6.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.0 per 1,000. This decline suggests a possible stabilization in local crime patterns, though the monthly exposure figure—1 reported crime for every 150 residents—remains a key metric for residents assessing risk. On a daily basis, Dover saw approximately 26 crimes reported each day in October, a figure that, while consistent with seasonal norms, highlights the ongoing presence of crime in the area. When scaled to the population of 119,768, this rate places Dover firmly below the UK average, with a 13% gap that underscores the district’s relatively safer profile compared to other regions. The contrast between Dover and the UK average is most visible in categories like public order offences, which were 62% below the national average, and shoplifting, which was 21% below. These disparities may reflect Dover’s unique mix of urban and coastal characteristics, where tourism and retail activity could influence crime trends differently than in more densely populated or industrial areas.