Guildford Crime Rate

Guildford Crime Overview

Guildford presents as a secure and desirable region within Surrey, characterised by a safety score of 81/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 84.1 per 1,000 residents, which remains below the UK national average of 91.6. Recent data indicates a stable trend, with a minor 0.8% decrease in total recorded offences over the last year. This suggests a consistent and well-managed security environment across the local authority's mix of urban and suburban landscapes. As we delve into the specific statistics from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, the data reveals a town that prioritises community safety while managing the typical challenges of a busy regional hub, including retail-related theft and social-related offences.

About Guildford

Guildford is a historic and affluent county town in Surrey, serving as a major administrative, commercial, and educational hub. The area is characterised by a vibrant town centre with a high density of retail outlets, restaurants, and a significant nightlife scene, which attracts visitors from across the region. Additionally, Guildford is home to the University of Surrey, contributing to a large student population and a more transient demographic in certain neighbourhoods.

The town's role as a primary transport hub—with major rail links to London and the South Coast, and proximity to the A3—influences its crime statistics, particularly in categories like theft and vehicle crime. While Guildford is generally prosperous, its urban characteristics, including busy commercial zones and a high volume of commuters, create challenges similar to those found in larger cities. These factors, combined with a high standard of living, result in a safety profile that balances suburban security with the complexities of a thriving regional centre. Understanding these demographic and economic influences is key to interpreting the area's crime data.

Crime Breakdown in Guildford

Guildford's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 4,767 recorded incidents, or 37.5% of all crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.9% and public order offences at 9.8%. While personal and public order offences are the most frequent, property crime remains a significant consideration for the local community.

Overall property crime—which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from the person, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, and other theft categories—occurs at a rate of 26.9 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting (7.2 per 1,000) and other theft (5.4 per 1,000) are the most frequent sub-types within this category, reflecting the town's busy retail sector. For homeowners, the burglary rate is 2.2 per 1,000, while vehicle crime stands at 3.1 per 1,000. The combined volume of theft and criminal damage (8.0%) suggests that maintaining a visible and robust security presence is essential to protecting domestic and commercial assets in this active regional hub.

Crime Trends in Guildford

The crime trend in Guildford is currently classified as stable, with a very slight year-over-year decrease of 0.8%. Throughout 2025, the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents showed typical urban fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 5.7 in January, rising to 7.8 by May and June. Activity peaked during the summer months, reaching a high of 8.4 in July, before gradually descending toward the end of the year, finishing at 6.4 in December.

This pattern suggests that while crime remains relatively consistent, there is a notable increase in activity during the warmer months and peak shopping periods, a common trend in major regional hubs. The overall stability indicates that local safety initiatives and policing are effectively containing crime levels. For residents, this provides a predictable environment, though the summer peak serves as a reminder to remain vigilant during periods of higher outdoor activity and footfall in the town centre and around the university campus.

Nearby Area Comparison

When examining the regional context, Guildford (84.1 per 1,000) serves as a primary hub for Surrey. Interestingly, several adjacent areas including Woking, Waverley, Surrey Heath, Rushmoor, Runnymede, and Elmbridge all reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 in the current data period, suggesting these are exceptionally low-crime zones in this dataset. While Guildford has a higher comparative rate due to its larger town centre, university, and transport links, it remains a safe choice when viewed against the broader UK average of 91.6, maintaining a respectable safety score of 81/100.

Professional Security in Guildford

With a property crime rate of 26.9 per 1,000 residents, Guildford homeowners and businesses benefit from a lower risk environment than many other major UK towns. However, the presence of shoplifting (8.6%) and vehicle crime (3.7%) highlights the importance of proactive security in a busy regional centre. Traditional CCTV systems often serve as a reactive tool, providing footage only after an incident has occurred. For true prevention, residents should consider AI-driven systems like scOS.

scOS represents a shift from recording crime to preventing it. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, the system monitors property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach the door. Features such as autonomous responses—where lights and speakers activate upon detecting an unauthorised presence—destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area where safety is already good, professional-grade protection like scOS reinforces that security, ensuring your home or business remains a hard target and discouraging opportunistic crime effectively in both residential and commercial contexts.

How To Keep Safe in Guildford

The most prevalent crime type in the district is violence and sexual offences. While many of these incidents are not random, it is vital to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in the town centre during evening hours and near nightlife venues. We recommend planning your routes in advance and using well-lit thoroughfares when walking at night.

To address the broader categories of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, residents should ensure their properties are well-maintained and clearly demarcated. Installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home can act as a significant deterrent. Additionally, participating in local Neighbourhood Watch schemes can improve community vigilance. For vehicle safety, never leave valuables on display, as even low-level theft can be opportunistic in busy urban and commuter parking areas. Finally, always report suspicious activity to the local police to help them allocate resources effectively across the district. Given the high shoplifting rate, local businesses should also consider integrated security solutions to protect their assets.