Crime in Dartford: statistics, rates and trends

7,168 crimes were recorded in Dartford in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,649 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dartford has the 371st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Dartford was highest in the year to July 2018 (8,808 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (7,168). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dartford 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 criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, other crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+17%) and anti-social behaviour (+14%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-32%) and burglary (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Dartford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dartford recorded 2,649 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 37.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Dartford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dartford recorded 1,145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Dartford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dartford recorded 635 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Dartford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dartford recorded 618 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Dartford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dartford recorded 473 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Dartford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dartford recorded 454 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Dartford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dartford recorded 329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Dartford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dartford recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Dartford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dartford recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Dartford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dartford recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Dartford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dartford recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Dartford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dartford recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Dartford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dartford recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Dartford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dartford recorded 32 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 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Dartford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dartford.

12 areas within Dartford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town had the highest rate (243.6 per 1,000) and Bridge the lowest (40.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dartford 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.

Dartford has an estimated population of 72,486. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dartford sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.