Crime in Dover: statistics, rates and trends

5,535 crimes were recorded in Dover in the 12 months to July 2026, 150.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,060 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dover has the 64th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Dover was highest in the year to July 2018 (7,307 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,535). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Dover 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+62%) and vehicle crime (+33%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-34%) and public order (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Dover

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dover recorded 2,060 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 37.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Dover

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dover recorded 1,051 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 19.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Dover

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dover recorded 639 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 11.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Dover

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dover recorded 492 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Dover

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dover recorded 294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Dover

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dover recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Dover

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dover recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Dover

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dover recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Dover

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dover recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Dover

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dover recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Dover

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dover recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Dover

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dover recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Dover

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dover recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Dover

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dover recorded 23 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 34% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Dover, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Town & Castle had the highest rate (300.3 per 1,000) and Dover Downs & River the lowest (51.9). 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 Dover over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dover 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.

Dover has an estimated population of 36,819. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dover sits in decile 3.2, more deprived than average. 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 Dover. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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