The question of why Buckland (Mole Valley) exhibits a seemingly higher crime rate than Skimmington is a common one, and the answer lies primarily in the impact of population size on crime rate calculations. Buckland, classified as a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Mole Valley, has a population of just 1652. This small population makes it particularly susceptible to fluctuations in reported crime.
Crime rates are typically expressed 'per 1,000 people'. Buckland's reported crime rate stands at 51.5 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. However, it's vital to interpret this figure with caution. A single incident, such as a burglary or minor assault, can significantly skew the rate for a small community like Buckland. For example, if Buckland experiences 10 more crimes than would be expected, that small increase has a proportionally larger impact on the per capita rate compared to a larger town.
Conversely, Skimmington's crime rate, while not provided in the data, is implicitly lower. The difference in crime rates is less about inherent safety and more about the statistical effect of population size. Buckland’s safety score is 89/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79, suggesting that residents perceive it as a relatively safe place, despite the numerical crime rate.
It's also important to note that reported crime figures don't always reflect the overall level of crime. Underreporting, changes in police recording practices, and variations in how crimes are classified can all influence statistics. Further investigation would require access to detailed crime data for both locations and comparison of crime types.