Hersham Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 saw Hersham's crime rate remain significantly below the UK average, with 4.4 crimes per 1,000 residents—45.7% lower than the national figure of 8.1 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.9%) and other theft (11.3%). This pattern aligns with Hersham's role as a built-up area within a commuter belt, where retail and residential density may drive both violent and non-violent crime. Seasonal factors, such as August's peak holiday period, likely contributed to the 100% increase in vehicle crime, potentially linked to increased traffic and temporary residents. However, the area's overall safety remains striking, with drug-related offences being the sole category exceeding the UK average by 82%. This anomaly may reflect localized issues, such as the proximity to major transport links or transient populations. The relatively low burglary rate—1.6% of all crimes—suggests that Hersham's built environment, with its mix of housing types, may offer some protection against property crime. While the 5.9% monthly decline from July's rate is modest, it underscores a broader trend of sustained low crime levels, consistent with Hersham's position as a relatively quiet urban enclave within Surrey.

Vehicle crime saw a 100% increase in August, rising from three to six incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in theft from the person, marks an unexpected shift in the area's crime mix. Drug-related offences, at 0.4 per 1,000, were 82% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000—a stark contrast to most categories that remain well below national benchmarks. Anti-social behaviour fell by 20%, from 10 to 8 incidents, and public order offences dropped 62.5%, from eight to three, suggesting a possible seasonal lull in disturbances. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.7% of all crimes, despite being 36% below the UK average. This highlights a combination of local demographics and national trends, with Hersham's built-up character likely influencing both violent crime patterns and the relative underperformance in property-related offences compared to other areas.

Hersham's crime rate in August 2023 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, a 5.9% decrease from July's 4.7 per 1,000. This places the area firmly below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, with a 45.7% gap. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 226 residents, illustrating a relatively low monthly exposure compared to national trends. Daily crime figures show an average of two crimes per day in Hersham, a figure that, while consistent with the area's historical patterns, remains lower than many comparable urban centres. The population-scaled perspective further contextualises this: with 14,003 residents, the area's crime profile reflects a combination of effective local policing and the characteristics of a built-up area within a commuter belt. The reduction in public order offences, down 62.5% from July, may partly explain the overall decline, though seasonal factors—such as the winding down of summer holidays—could also play a role.