Whitfield (Dover) Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 saw Whitfield (Dover) record a total of 37 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents — 17.1% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This rate, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a nuanced picture shaped by seasonal dynamics and local characteristics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, comprising 54.1% of all incidents, a category where Whitfield's rate (3.4 per 1,000) was 32% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed, accounting for 13.5% of incidents, with its rate (0.9 per 1,000) 19% below the UK average. The seasonal context of November — marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and extended dark evenings — likely contributed to fluctuations in certain crime types. For instance, the high prevalence of violent crime may be partly explained by increased foot traffic in retail areas during the pre-Christmas shopping period. Conversely, the sharp decline in shoplifting (90.9% month-on-month) could be attributed to heightened security measures during peak retail seasons. The area's built-up nature within a coastal town may also influence crime patterns, with public spaces and high-traffic zones driving violent incidents. However, the overall lower crime rate compared to the UK suggests that local policing strategies, community engagement, or environmental factors may be playing a role in moderating crime levels. These insights highlight the need for continued monitoring of specific categories, particularly violent crime, while leveraging seasonal trends to inform targeted interventions.

The most dramatic shift in November 2024 was the 100% increase in possession of weapons, with one incident reported compared to zero in October. This spike, though isolated, may be linked to seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night or increased public gatherings. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 90.9%, dropping from 11 to 1, likely reflecting reduced foot traffic during Black Friday or heightened retail security measures. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 54.1% of total incidents — 32% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime both fell below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour at 19% below and vehicle crime at 32% below. These patterns suggest a combination of localised events and broader regional trends, with the area's crime mix shifting towards violent incidents despite an overall lower rate than the UK average.

Whitfield's November 2024 crime rate (6.3 per 1,000 residents) marks a 19.5% increase from October's 5.3 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, suggests a slight upward trend in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure consistent with typical seasonal patterns in built-up coastal areas. Monthly exposure calculations reveal that over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 159 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. When compared to the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, Whitfield remains 17.1% below, though the recent upward shift warrants attention to potential seasonal or situational factors. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the area's crime profile is generally lower than the national average, fluctuations in specific categories like violent crime or weapons possession may reflect localised pressures.