Crime in Dartford district: statistics, rates and trends
13,504 crimes were recorded in Dartford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dartford district at a glance
- Crime trends in Dartford district
- Types of crime in Dartford district
- Dartford district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Dartford district
- Streets with the most crime in Dartford district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dartford district
- Population and deprivation in Dartford district
- Questions about crime in Dartford district
- About this data
13,504 crimes were recorded in Dartford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,107 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Dartford district has the 79th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dartford district | Kent | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 13,504 | 145,448 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 108.0 | 88.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 125,011 | 1,639,029 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dartford district was highest in the year to July 2022 (14,744 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (13,221). Over the whole period it fell 8%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 13,504 | 108.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 13,703 | 109.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 13,221 | 105.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 13,688 | 109.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 14,744 | 117.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 14,319 | 114.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 14,347 | 114.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 14,064 | 112.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 14,638 | 117.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,147 |
| June 2026 | 1,087 |
| May 2026 | 1,156 |
| April 2026 | 1,190 |
| March 2026 | 1,215 |
| February 2026 | 1,101 |
| January 2026 | 1,045 |
| December 2025 | 1,169 |
| November 2025 | 996 |
| October 2025 | 1,117 |
| September 2025 | 1,048 |
| August 2025 | 1,233 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dartford district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in robbery (+26%) and shoplifting (+22%). The largest falls were in burglary (-28%) and theft from the person (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,107 | 32.9 | 0.96 | -11% |
| Shoplifting | 2,672 | 21.4 | 2.58 | +22% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,044 | 16.4 | 1.07 | +16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,089 | 8.7 | 1.28 | -9% |
| Other theft | 827 | 6.6 | 1.03 | +2% |
| Vehicle crime | 779 | 6.2 | 1.27 | -11% |
| Public order | 505 | 4.0 | 0.61 | -12% |
| Drugs | 436 | 3.5 | 1.07 | -15% |
| Other crime | 370 | 3.0 | 1.40 | +1% |
| Burglary | 288 | 2.3 | 0.65 | -28% |
| Possession of weapons | 137 | 1.1 | 1.13 | +10% |
| Robbery | 115 | 0.9 | 0.68 | +26% |
| Theft from the person | 88 | 0.7 | 0.42 | -23% |
| Bicycle theft | 47 | 0.4 | 0.46 | -6% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dartford district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dartford district recorded 4,107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 30.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dartford district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dartford district recorded 2,672 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 19.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dartford district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dartford district recorded 2,044 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dartford district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dartford district recorded 1,089 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dartford district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dartford district recorded 827 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dartford district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dartford district recorded 779 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dartford district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dartford district recorded 505 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dartford district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dartford district recorded 436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dartford district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dartford district recorded 370 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dartford district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dartford district recorded 288 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dartford district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dartford district recorded 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dartford district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dartford district recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dartford district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dartford district recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dartford district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dartford district recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Dartford district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dartford district.
30 areas within Dartford district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Stone Castle had the highest rate (338.1 per 1,000) and Joyden's Wood the lowest (34.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Castle | Neighbourhood | 7,889 | 2,667 | 338.1 |
| Town | Neighbourhood | 5,977 | 1,456 | 243.6 |
| Darenth | Town | 2,728 | 435 | 159.5 |
| Darenth | Neighbourhood | 2,728 | 435 | 159.5 |
| Stone House | Neighbourhood | 8,152 | 1,195 | 146.6 |
| Bean & Village Park | Neighbourhood | 3,040 | 412 | 135.5 |
| Swanscombe | Neighbourhood | 8,254 | 1,002 | 121.4 |
| Burnham | Neighbourhood | 5,357 | 626 | 116.9 |
| Temple Hill | Neighbourhood | 9,907 | 1,125 | 113.6 |
| Princes | Neighbourhood | 7,008 | 724 | 103.3 |
| Dartford | Town | 72,486 | 7,168 | 98.9 |
| Swanscombe | Town | 15,948 | 1,501 | 94.1 |
| Newtown | Neighbourhood | 5,745 | 482 | 83.9 |
| Longfield, New Barn & Southfleet | Neighbourhood | 6,931 | 581 | 83.8 |
| Bean | Town | 1,637 | 124 | 75.7 |
| Stone (Dartford) | Town | 5,383 | 387 | 71.9 |
| Greenhithe & Knockhall | Neighbourhood | 7,694 | 499 | 64.9 |
| Maypole & Leyton Cross | Neighbourhood | 4,164 | 265 | 63.6 |
| Brent | Neighbourhood | 5,784 | 342 | 59.1 |
| South Darenth and Sutton at Hone | Town | 4,416 | 260 | 58.9 |
| Hawley (Dartford) | Town | 1,794 | 103 | 57.4 |
| Heath | Neighbourhood | 6,332 | 331 | 52.3 |
| Ebbsfleet Valley | Town | 7,421 | 386 | 52.0 |
| Ebbsfleet | Neighbourhood | 7,421 | 386 | 52.0 |
| Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley | Neighbourhood | 7,006 | 355 | 50.7 |
| West Hill | Neighbourhood | 7,540 | 322 | 42.7 |
| Southfleet | Town | 1,796 | 74 | 41.2 |
| Bridge | Neighbourhood | 3,728 | 151 | 40.5 |
| Joyden's Wood | Town | 4,354 | 148 | 34.0 |
| Joyden's Wood | Neighbourhood | 4,354 | 148 | 34.0 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Dartford district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 2,152 |
| On or near Supermarket | 864 |
| On or near Parking Area | 526 |
| On or near Laurence Rise | 270 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 183 |
| On or near The Oaks | 155 |
| On or near William Mundy Way | 141 |
| On or near Moore Close | 128 |
| On or near Cadogan Avenue | 120 |
| On or near Nightclub | 119 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dartford district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 4,499 | 33.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 3,473 | 25.7% |
| Not recorded | 2,044 | 15.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 827 | 6.1% |
| Under investigation | 786 | 5.8% |
| Local resolution | 767 | 5.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 398 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 275 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 231 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 109 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 51 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 32 | 0.2% |
Dartford district has an estimated population of 125,011. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dartford district sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dartford district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.9% |
| Social rented homes | 13.8% |
| Private rented homes | 18.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 1.1% |
Is Dartford district a safe place to live?
Dartford district recorded 108.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Dartford district?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (2,672).
Is crime in Dartford district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dartford district was down 1% on the year before: 13,504 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 13,703 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dartford district?
Dartford district is policed by Kent. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Dartford district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.