Guildford Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Guildford

Guildford, a prominent local authority district, reports an overall crime rate of 85.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. With a safety score of 80 out of 100, Guildford is considered safer than the national average of 78. This positive safety standing reflects a community with generally lower crime levels compared to many other areas across the UK. Over the past year, the crime trend in Guildford has remained stable, experiencing a minor decrease of 0.7%. This section delves deeper into the specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas to provide a comprehensive understanding of safety in Guildford.

About Guildford

Guildford is a vibrant market town and the administrative centre of the wider local authority district, characterised by a blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Its strategic location, excellent transport links, and proximity to London make it a desirable residential and commercial hub. The town centre is a significant retail and leisure destination, attracting shoppers and visitors, particularly on weekends. The presence of the University of Surrey also contributes to a notable student population and a transient element. These factors, including a busy town centre, transport hubs like Guildford railway station, and a diverse population, can influence the local crime statistics, particularly in areas related to theft and public order offences. The district's varied landscape, from urban centres to more rural outskirts, also creates a complex picture for crime patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Guildford

An analysis of crime types in Guildford reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 37.1% of all reported crimes with 4,774 incidents (31.5 per 1,000 residents). Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most prevalent, with 1,871 incidents (12.4 per 1,000, 14.5% of total), indicating issues related to public nuisance and disorder. Public order offences rank third, with 1,280 incidents (8.5 per 1,000, 9.9% of total), often linked to disturbances in public spaces.

When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Guildford has a rate of 27.7 per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific figures within this category show 351 burglaries (2.3 per 1,000), 518 vehicle crimes (3.4 per 1,000), and 838 other thefts (5.5 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight the importance of securing personal belongings and properties, particularly against opportunistic theft and vehicle-related incidents, despite the overall lower property crime rate compared to the national average.

Crime Trends in Guildford

Guildford has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a minimal decrease of 0.7% year-over-year. Analysing the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents reveals a fluctuating pattern within this stability. In late 2024, rates were 7.3 in October, dipping to 6.7 in December. The beginning of 2025 saw lower figures, with February recording 5.4 per 1,000. However, there was a noticeable increase in crime rates during the spring and summer months of 2025, peaking at 8.4 in July before a slight reduction to 7.1 in September. This seasonal variation, with higher rates observed in warmer months, is a common pattern in many areas. For residents, this stable trend suggests that while there isn't a significant worsening of the crime situation, vigilance remains important, especially during periods when crime rates typically see an uptick.

Crime in Nearby Areas

To provide a broader context for Guildford's crime statistics, it's useful to compare it with neighbouring local authority districts. Guildford's overall crime rate of 85.1 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 80/100 generally position it favourably within the region. For instance, Woking and Elmbridge are often considered similar, and understanding their crime profiles can offer comparative insights. Waverley, typically a more rural district, might present a different crime landscape. Districts like Surrey Heath, Rushmoor, and Runnymede also contribute to the regional picture, each with its own specific characteristics that influence local crime rates. By examining the statistics of these nearby areas, residents can gain a more complete understanding of Guildford's safety performance within the broader Surrey region.

Protecting Your Home in Guildford

Given Guildford's property crime rate of 27.7 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average, it's still crucial for homeowners to consider robust security measures. While traditional CCTV systems can record incidents, they often provide footage after a burglary has occurred. For genuine protection, a proactive approach is far more effective. Modern AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it happens.

Unlike reactive solutions, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, acting as a visible deterrent that can make potential intruders reconsider within seconds. By utilising multi-camera intelligence, it simultaneously monitors all cameras, ensuring nothing is missed. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning capabilities recognise routines, alerting only on real threats. This autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For residents of Guildford seeking to safeguard their homes and valuables, investing in professional-grade, proactive security offers a significant advantage over systems that merely document a crime in progress.