Crime in Dover district: statistics, rates and trends
10,455 crimes were recorded in Dover district in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dover district at a glance
- Crime trends in Dover district
- Types of crime in Dover district
- Dover district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Dover district
- Streets with the most crime in Dover district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dover district
- Population and deprivation in Dover district
- Questions about crime in Dover district
- About this data
10,455 crimes were recorded in Dover district in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,947 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Dover district has the 143rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dover district | Kent | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 10,455 | 145,448 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 87.3 | 88.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 119,768 | 1,639,029 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dover district was highest in the year to July 2018 (14,246 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (10,455). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 | 10,455 | 87.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 10,966 | 91.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 11,833 | 98.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 12,116 | 101.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 12,497 | 104.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 12,487 | 104.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 12,843 | 107.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 13,097 | 109.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 14,246 | 118.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,125 |
| June 2026 | 877 |
| May 2026 | 904 |
| April 2026 | 777 |
| March 2026 | 890 |
| February 2026 | 774 |
| January 2026 | 787 |
| December 2025 | 850 |
| November 2025 | 833 |
| October 2025 | 801 |
| September 2025 | 832 |
| August 2025 | 1,005 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dover 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 other crime.
The largest increases were in robbery (+46%) and anti-social behaviour (+18%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-35%) and bicycle theft (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,947 | 33.0 | 0.96 | -13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,104 | 17.6 | 1.15 | +18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,012 | 8.4 | 1.25 | -5% |
| Shoplifting | 867 | 7.2 | 0.87 | +15% |
| Other theft | 625 | 5.2 | 0.82 | -6% |
| Public order | 395 | 3.3 | 0.50 | -26% |
| Vehicle crime | 378 | 3.2 | 0.64 | -7% |
| Other crime | 328 | 2.7 | 1.30 | -6% |
| Drugs | 311 | 2.6 | 0.79 | -7% |
| Burglary | 231 | 1.9 | 0.55 | -5% |
| Possession of weapons | 110 | 0.9 | 0.95 | -15% |
| Robbery | 76 | 0.6 | 0.47 | +46% |
| Bicycle theft | 40 | 0.3 | 0.41 | -29% |
| Theft from the person | 31 | 0.3 | 0.15 | -35% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dover district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dover district recorded 3,947 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 37.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dover district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dover district recorded 2,104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dover district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dover district recorded 1,012 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dover district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dover district recorded 867 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dover district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dover district recorded 625 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dover district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dover district recorded 395 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dover district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dover district recorded 378 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dover district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dover district recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dover district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dover district recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dover district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dover district recorded 231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dover district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dover district recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dover district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dover district recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dover district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dover district recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dover district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dover district recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Dover district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dover district.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dover district |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folkestone and Hythe | 9,548 | 84.9 | -3% |
| Thanet | 16,349 | 114.6 | +31% |
| Canterbury | 17,618 | 108.7 | +25% |
| Ashford | 10,803 | 76.7 | -12% |
| Swale | 15,724 | 99.3 | +14% |
| Maidstone | 16,230 | 86.4 | -1% |
| Medway | 29,852 | 102.0 | +17% |
| Southend-on-Sea | 20,967 | 113.2 | +30% |
33 areas within Dover district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town & Castle had the highest rate (300.3 per 1,000) and Kingsdown the lowest (29.9). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town & Castle | Neighbourhood | 8,232 | 2,472 | 300.3 |
| Tower Hamlets | Neighbourhood | 4,206 | 796 | 189.3 |
| Dover | Town | 36,819 | 5,535 | 150.3 |
| St Radigunds | Neighbourhood | 8,234 | 1,196 | 145.3 |
| Sandwich | Town | 3,644 | 360 | 98.8 |
| Buckland | Neighbourhood | 7,458 | 721 | 96.7 |
| North Deal | Neighbourhood | 6,541 | 581 | 88.8 |
| Aylesham | Town | 6,461 | 487 | 75.4 |
| Whitfield (Dover) | Town | 6,573 | 448 | 68.2 |
| Whitfield | Neighbourhood | 6,573 | 448 | 68.2 |
| Middle Deal | Neighbourhood | 7,342 | 493 | 67.1 |
| Ash (Dover) | Town | 1,675 | 112 | 66.9 |
| Sandwich | Neighbourhood | 7,524 | 501 | 66.6 |
| Maxton & Elms Vale | Neighbourhood | 4,371 | 289 | 66.1 |
| Aylesham, Eythorne & Shepherdswell | Neighbourhood | 12,945 | 836 | 64.6 |
| Deal | Town | 28,885 | 1,776 | 61.5 |
| Sibertswold | Town | 1,720 | 103 | 59.9 |
| Eythorne | Town | 1,498 | 89 | 59.4 |
| Capel-le-Ferne | Town | 2,456 | 142 | 57.8 |
| St Margaret's at Cliffe | Town | 3,239 | 180 | 55.6 |
| Alkham & Capel-le-Ferne | Neighbourhood | 3,902 | 216 | 55.4 |
| Dover Downs & River | Neighbourhood | 5,818 | 302 | 51.9 |
| Mill Hill | Neighbourhood | 7,910 | 404 | 51.1 |
| Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe | Neighbourhood | 7,260 | 325 | 44.8 |
| Nonington | Town | 1,571 | 68 | 43.3 |
| Little Stour & Ashstone | Neighbourhood | 5,761 | 246 | 42.7 |
| Guston | Town | 2,045 | 86 | 42.1 |
| Walmer | Neighbourhood | 7,092 | 298 | 42.0 |
| Woodnesborough | Town | 2,062 | 81 | 39.3 |
| Eastry Rural | Neighbourhood | 8,599 | 331 | 38.5 |
| Eastry | Town | 1,861 | 71 | 38.2 |
| Wingham | Town | 1,828 | 69 | 37.7 |
| Kingsdown | Town | 1,976 | 59 | 29.9 |
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 Dover district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 420 |
| On or near Supermarket | 360 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 279 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 192 |
| On or near Cannon Street | 139 |
| On or near Malvern Road | 95 |
| On or near Pencester Road | 91 |
| On or near Russell Street | 79 |
| On or near Queen'S Gardens | 78 |
| On or near Worthington Street | 76 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dover 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 3,273 | 31.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,989 | 28.6% |
| Not recorded | 2,104 | 20.1% |
| Under investigation | 555 | 5.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 504 | 4.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 273 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 237 | 2.3% |
| Local resolution | 206 | 2.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 191 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 73 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 24 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 20 | 0.2% |
Dover district has an estimated population of 119,768. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dover district sits in decile 4.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dover district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.0% |
| Social rented homes | 13.9% |
| Private rented homes | 19.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 11.8% |
Is Dover district a safe place to live?
Dover district recorded 87.3 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 Dover district?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 3,947 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (2,104).
Is crime in Dover district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dover district was down 5% on the year before: 10,455 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 10,966 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dover district?
Dover 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 Dover district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.