Walton-on-Thames Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Walton-on-Thames' crime profile in April 2023 reveals a combination of property and violent crime, with property crimes (84 incidents) narrowly outpacing violent crimes (76). The overall crime rate of 8.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 14.7% above the UK average, a figure that aligns with the dominance of anti-social behaviour (17.4% of total crimes) and public order offences (10.7%). These categories, which are 27% and 41% above the UK average respectively, may reflect the social dynamics of a built-up area within Elmbridge, where public spaces and community interactions are frequent. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter and spring weather—likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which could explain the elevated rates of public order incidents and anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences, at 31.4% of total crimes, remain a significant concern, though their rate (2.7 per 1,000) is only 4% above the UK average. This suggests that while violent crime is not high compared to national trends, the area's specific environmental and social factors may be amplifying other types of crime, such as criminal damage and vehicle-related offences. The 78% above UK average for vehicle crime, in particular, may be linked to the area's infrastructure and traffic patterns, which could create opportunities for such incidents. As the weather warms and outdoor activity increases, the balance between property and violent crime may continue to shift, requiring ongoing monitoring and targeted community engagement to address emerging trends.

April 2023 saw dramatic spikes in anti-social behaviour (+180%), bicycle theft (+175%), and criminal damage and arson (+140%) compared to March. These increases suggest a shift in criminal activity patterns, with anti-social behaviour now accounting for 17.4% of total crimes, significantly above the UK average of 1.2 per 1,000. The 471% above UK average for bicycle theft—despite a 37.5% drop in shoplifting—highlights a stark contrast in crime focus. Meanwhile, violent crimes (76 incidents) remained slightly below property crimes (84), but the 4% above UK average for violence and sexual offences indicates persistent challenges in this category. The 78% above UK average for vehicle crime, combined with the 48% above UK average for criminal damage, points to a localised concentration of property-related incidents that may be influenced by the area's built-up characteristics and seasonal factors.

Walton-on-Thames' crime rate in April 2023 rose to 8.6 per 1,000 residents, a 75.4% increase from the previous month's 4.9 per 1,000. This jump reflects a marked shift in local crime dynamics, with daily crime counts averaging eight incidents per day. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 116 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents relative to the population of 28,094. While the rate remains below the UK average for certain categories such as shoplifting and burglary, it significantly exceeds the UK average for anti-social behaviour, public order, and vehicle crime. The stark contrast between the 14.7% above UK average overall rate and the 471% above UK average for bicycle theft underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific areas of the built-up area. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the crime burden here is not evenly distributed across categories, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences contributing to the overall rate compared to the UK context.