Crime Rate in Dover: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dover

The total recorded crimes in Dover, UK in January 2026 are around 797 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dover crime rate of 6.85 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (332) incidents (-6.21% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (120) incidents (-13.04% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (94) incidents (16.05% increase)
Dover Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 12
  • Cannon Street with total crimes: 9
  • Barwick Road with total crimes: 7

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 (158 crimes), and the safest, Little Stour & Ashstone (16 crimes), is 142 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Dover.

Similarly, the area of Dover East (141 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Deal North & West (13 crimes), with a difference of 128 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Dover.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Town & Castle158
St Radigunds90
Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell72
Tower Hamlets69
Sandwich63

Safest Wards:

Middle Deal22
Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe19
Maxton & Elms Vale18
Alkham & Capel-le-Ferne17
Little Stour & Ashstone16

Most Dangerous Areas:

Dover East141
Buckland & St Radigunds129
Dover West113
Sandwich & Eastry66
Eythorne & Shepherdswell51

Safest Areas:

Mill Hill, Upper Deal & Northbourne36
Elms Vale & Capel-le-Ferne33
Ash & Wingham26
Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe19
Deal North & West13

Dover Crime Statstics

In January 2026 the Dover has recorded 797 crimes with crime rate of 6.85 ranking 148th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 8 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

CityJanuary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)CrimesRank (Kent)
Sevenoaks581 139,267 119,149 12
Tonbridge and Malling706 129,859 1210,249 11
Tunbridge Wells665 119,548 109,318 10
Ashford835 1012,638 911,651 9
Folkestone and Hythe721 910,629 810,233 8
Maidstone1,434 820,408 517,055 7
Canterbury1,297 117,254 616,993 5
Swale1,317 517,812 416,687 4
Dartford1,045 414,503 312,932 3
Gravesham811 313,542 212,627 2
Thanet1,360 219,161 118,027 1

Dover Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (332 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (120 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 354 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 138 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (334 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (161 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (296 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (151 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (304 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (152 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (360 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (245 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 475 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 230 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (387 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (205 cases).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1048 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 87.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 122 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202694
December 202581
November 202572
October 202583
September 202588
August 202579
July 202586
June 202577
May 2025122
April 202591
March 2025100
February 202575

A total of 2025 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 168.75 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 245 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026120
December 2025138
November 2025161
October 2025151
September 2025152
August 2025245
July 2025230
June 2025205
May 2025193
April 2025189
March 2025151
February 202590

A total of 4328 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 360.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 475 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026332
December 2025354
November 2025334
October 2025296
September 2025304
August 2025360
July 2025475
June 2025387
May 2025450
April 2025341
March 2025385
February 2025310

A total of 39 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.55 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20263
December 20251
November 20252
October 20251
September 20254
August 20255
July 20255
June 20256
May 20254
April 20254
March 20254

A total of 808 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 67.33 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202660
December 202561
November 202572
October 202558
September 202574
August 202582
July 202565
June 202555
May 202564
April 202582
March 202555
February 202580

A total of 667 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.58 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202638
December 202552
November 202554
October 202561
September 202569
August 202553
July 202562
June 202536
May 202571
April 202553
March 202557
February 202561

A total of 241 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 20.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202610
December 202520
November 202516
October 202528
September 202523
August 202518
July 202518
June 202521
May 202523
April 202521
March 202530
February 202513

A total of 377 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.42 incidents per month. December 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202617
December 202548
November 202544
October 202537
September 202519
August 202540
July 202519
June 202523
May 202529
April 202536
March 202520
February 202545

A total of 73 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.08 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202611
December 20254
November 20254
October 20259
September 20254
August 20259
July 20256
June 20256
May 202516
April 20252
March 20251
February 20251

A total of 488 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 40.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 60 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202630
December 202533
November 202523
October 202525
September 202527
August 202556
July 202560
June 202559
May 202546
April 202558
March 202544
February 202527

A total of 136 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.33 incidents per month. September 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202611
December 202512
November 20257
October 202513
September 202515
August 20258
July 20257
June 20258
May 202515
April 202515
March 202513
February 202512

A total of 341 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.42 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202635
December 202522
November 202526
October 202528
September 202520
August 202528
July 202527
June 202531
May 202529
April 202531
March 202538
February 202526

A total of 351 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 29.25 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202636
December 202530
November 202527
October 202525
September 202536
August 202524
July 202522
June 202537
May 202531
April 202523
March 202528
February 202532

A total of 47 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.27 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20252
November 20251
October 20254
September 20255
August 20256
July 20256
June 20258
May 20255
April 20253
March 20253
February 20254

High Crime Locations Dover in January 2026

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting12
2. Cannon Street (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson3
Anti-social behaviour2
Possession of weapons1
3. Barwick Road (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences4
Public order1
Possession of weapons1
Drugs1
4. Malvern Road (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order1
5. Moat Sole (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences7
6. Escape Lane (Map)
Total7
Other crime5
Vehicle crime1
Theft from the person1

  • 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.