Ashtead Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ashtead’s crime rate for May 2024 stood at 2.6 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 69% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast to the national trend is most evident in the category of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 35.9% of all reported crimes but were 68% below the UK average. The area’s crime profile is dominated by violent offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and other theft, reflecting a pattern more commonly associated with smaller, residential communities rather than larger urban centres. Seasonal factors appear to have played a role in shaping these figures, with May’s longer evenings and bank holidays likely contributing to increased outdoor socialising, which may have influenced the rise in criminal damage and arson. However, the overall low crime rate suggests that Ashtead’s built-up area, within Mole Valley, benefits from a combination of factors including a compact population, limited commercial density, and community-driven policing initiatives. The breakdown of crimes also reveals a notable absence of property-related offences compared to the UK average, with shoplifting and vehicle crime both showing significant underperformance. This may be attributed to the area’s character as a commuter town with limited retail hubs, reducing opportunities for such crimes. The data further indicates that anti-social behaviour, while still a concern, remains low compared to the UK average, reflecting effective local governance and community engagement strategies. Overall, Ashtead’s crime statistics for May 2024 illustrate a safety profile that is markedly better than the national average, though the increases in specific categories highlight the need for continued monitoring of seasonal and situational factors that could influence crime trends.

May 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Criminal damage and arson surged by 200%, rising from one to three incidents, a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal factors such as increased outdoor gatherings during longer evenings. Concurrently, burglary and other theft both doubled compared to the previous month, suggesting a potential shift in criminal focus towards property-related offences. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 80%, from five to one incident, possibly linked to heightened policing efforts or changes in retail activity. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the most common category (35.9% of total crimes), were 68% below the UK average, a contrast to the national trend where such offences typically account for a larger share of reported crimes. This divergence highlights Ashtead’s unique crime profile, with anti-social behaviour (18.0% of total crimes) and other theft (15.4%) also showing marked underperformance relative to UK averages. Possession of weapons fell by 50%, from two to one incident, a decrease that may reflect seasonal changes in public behaviour or targeted interventions.

Ashtead’s crime rate for May 2024 (2.6 per 1,000 residents) marks an 18.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in built-up areas during early spring, where seasonal transitions and reduced outdoor activity may contribute to lower reported crime. On a daily basis, Ashtead recorded approximately 1 crime per day in May, a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s relatively small population of 14,966. Over the course of the month, the crime rate translates to one reported incident for roughly every 384 residents, a statistic that underscores the area’s safety profile compared to larger urban centres. This monthly exposure rate is particularly notable when considered alongside the UK average, which is over 300% higher. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Ashtead’s crime patterns are influenced by its compact, residential character, where community cohesion and limited commercial density likely play a role in maintaining lower rates.