Crime Rate in Dover: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dover

The total recorded crimes in Dover, UK in May 2025 are around 1,098 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dover crime rate of 9.43 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Dover, encompassing approximately 116,411 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (450) incidents (31.96% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (193) incidents (2.12% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (122) incidents (34.07% increase)
Dover Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Pencester Road with total crimes: 16
  • Dover Pencester Road with total crimes: 15
  • Police Station with total crimes: 11

Dover Police Info:

Kent Police

How safe is Dover?

To understand the safety of Dover, we need to analyze Dover crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Dover has recorded 12,554 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 107.84 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 117 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 12,219 crimes with a crime rate of 104.96, ranking it 109 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Kent:

    • In 2024, Dover demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Kent average, with 12554 crimes compared to 13931.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Dover witnessed more crimes than 7 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Dover had fewer crimes than the Kent average, with 12,219 crimes compared to 13,095. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Dover witnessed more crimes than 6 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Dover is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Kent, Dover has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Dover Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Town & Castle (235 crimes), and the safest, Alkham & Capel-le-Ferne (10 crimes), is 225 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Dover.

Similarly, the area of Dover East (196 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Elms Vale & Capel-le-Ferne (22 crimes), with a difference of 174 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Dover.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Town & Castle235
St Radigunds120
North Deal112
Buckland93
Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell73

Safest Wards:

Dover Downs & River31
Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe27
Maxton & Elms Vale23
Little Stour & Ashstone18
Alkham & Capel-le-Ferne10

Most Dangerous Areas:

Dover East196
Buckland & St Radigunds165
Dover West159
Deal East102
Eythorne & Shepherdswell66

Safest Areas:

Aylesham & Elvington52
Mill Hill, Upper Deal & Northbourne41
Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe32
Ash & Wingham23
Elms Vale & Capel-le-Ferne22

Dover Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Dover has recorded 1,098 crimes with crime rate of 9.43 ranking 98th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 6 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2024, the total Dover crimes were 12,554. The crime rate of Dover in 2024 was 107.84 (year) or 8.99 (month) ranking it 117 danzarous in the UK. Dover ranked 8 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Kent.

In 2023, the total crimes in Dover were around 12,219 crimes with yearly crime rate of 104.96 (year) or 8.75 (month) ranking 109 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Kent, Dover ranked 7 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 6 as per crime rate of Dover

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks686 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling826 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells700 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford951 1012,638 911,651 9
Folkestone and Hythe825 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,600 820,408 517,055 7
Canterbury1,569 117,254 616,993 5
Swale1,560 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,141 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham911 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,583 219,161 118,027 1

Dover Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (450 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (193 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (341 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (189 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (385 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (151 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 310 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 90 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (413 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (98 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 358 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 97 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (338 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (133 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (363 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (132 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (381 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (111 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (396 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (177 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 454 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 182 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (956 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (324 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 795 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 66.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 100 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202564
April 202582
March 202555
February 202580
January 202560
December 202445
November 202461
October 202470
September 202464
August 202457
July 202457
June 2024100

A total of 5145 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 428.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 956 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025450
April 2025341
March 2025385
February 2025310
January 2025413
December 2024358
November 2024338
October 2024363
September 2024381
August 2024396
July 2024454
June 2024956

A total of 63 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20253
March 20253
February 20254
January 20254
December 20247
November 20245
October 20246
September 20243
August 20243
July 20244
June 202416

A total of 60 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 20252
March 20251
February 20251
January 20256
December 20246
November 20242
October 20242
September 20242
August 20243
July 20247
June 202412

A total of 154 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202515
March 202513
February 202512
January 202510
December 20245
November 202415
October 20248
September 202411
August 202413
July 202413
June 202424

A total of 595 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 49.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202546
April 202558
March 202544
February 202527
January 202547
December 202427
November 202437
October 202443
September 202443
August 202467
July 202442
June 2024114

A total of 485 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 40.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202536
March 202520
February 202545
January 202543
December 202430
November 202449
October 202446
September 202428
August 202442
July 202435
June 202482

A total of 402 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202531
March 202538
February 202526
January 202535
December 202427
November 202421
October 202426
September 202429
August 202431
July 202431
June 202478

A total of 370 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 58 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202531
April 202523
March 202528
February 202532
January 202527
December 202423
November 202440
October 202425
September 202427
August 202426
July 202430
June 202458

A total of 774 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 64.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202571
April 202553
March 202557
February 202561
January 202552
December 202448
November 202454
October 202463
September 202463
August 202460
July 202460
June 2024132

A total of 1234 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 102.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 218 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025122
April 202591
March 2025100
February 202575
January 202585
December 202466
November 202490
October 202489
September 202494
August 2024102
July 2024102
June 2024218

A total of 49 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.45 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20254
March 20254
January 20251
December 20242
November 20247
October 20243
September 20245
August 20248
July 20245
June 20246

A total of 1877 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 156.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 324 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025193
April 2025189
March 2025151
February 202590
January 202598
December 202497
November 2024133
October 2024132
September 2024111
August 2024177
July 2024182
June 2024324

A total of 275 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202521
March 202530
February 202513
January 202524
December 202417
November 202424
October 202421
September 202414
August 202420
July 202430
June 202438

High Crime Locations Dover in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Dover postcode area is presented below.

1. Pencester Road (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour6
Shoplifting1
2. Dover Pencester Road (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences11
Drugs2
Robbery1
Public order1
3. Police Station (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour4
Vehicle crime1
Possession of weapons1
Drugs1
4. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour3
Robbery1
Public order1
Other theft1
5. Cannon Street (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order2
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting9
Robbery1

To know about postcode areas in Dover, visit Dover information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.