Whitfield (Dover) Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2024, Whitfield (Dover) maintained a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 33.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure reflects a persistent trend of lower-than-average crime levels in the area, likely influenced by its compact built-up character and proximity to Dover’s broader infrastructure. The balance between property and violent crime offers a nuanced picture: 12 property crimes (41.4% of total incidents) and 10 violent crimes (34.5%) were recorded, with anti-social behaviour (20.7%) accounting for the remaining 23.8%. This distribution suggests that while property-related offences remain a focus, the proportion of violent crime is lower than the UK average, which sees violence and sexual offences at 35% of all crimes. Seasonal factors appear to play a role, as January’s post-holiday period and reduced retail footfall align with a 17.2% share of shoplifting incidents—lower than the UK average for this category. The area’s compact nature may also contribute to the relatively low incidence of vehicle crime (10.3%), which mirrors the UK average. However, the 58% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK rate raises questions about local retail dynamics, possibly tied to smaller businesses or targeted vulnerabilities in high-traffic zones. This data underscores a crime profile shaped by both geographic characteristics and seasonal rhythms, with property crime slightly outpacing violent crime but both categories remaining well below national benchmarks.

January 2024 saw significant reductions in specific crime categories compared to December 2023. Public order offences fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), criminal damage and arson dropped by 50% (from 4 to 2), and other theft decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2). These declines may reflect the quieter nature of January, with shorter days and reduced public activity typical of the post-holiday period. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly, with property crimes (41.4% of total) narrowly outnumbering violent crimes (34.5%). This near-parity contrasts with the UK average, where violent crime accounts for 35% of all incidents. Violent crime in Whitfield (Dover) was 35% below the UK average, with a rate of 1.7 per 1,000 compared to the national 2.6 per 1,000. Conversely, shoplifting incidents were 58% above the UK average (0.9 vs 0.6 per 1,000), indicating a localised challenge in retail areas. For residents, the 50% drop in public order offences offers a tangible reassurance of improved community safety during the month.

Whitfield (Dover)’s crime rate in January 2024 (4.9 per 1,000) marked a 31.0% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained decline in overall crime levels. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 1 crime per day in January—a figure that, while low, highlights the need for continued vigilance in specific sectors such as retail. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 202 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 136 residents. This 1-in-202 ratio underscores the area’s relative safety, particularly when considering its built-up character and proximity to Dover’s urban environment. With a population of 5,867, the low crime rate translates to a manageable burden on local policing resources, though the 58% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average suggests targeted efforts may be required in retail hotspots. The interplay between population density and crime distribution here appears to be shaped by both local infrastructure and seasonal factors, with the post-holiday lull contributing to the month’s overall decline.