Dorking Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dorking's crime profile in July 2023, accounting for 38% of all reported crimes. With 57 incidents recorded, this category alone contributed to a crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents—26% above the UK average. The town's overall crime rate of 9.1 per 1,000 residents placed it 9.6% above the national average, a position reinforced by sharp increases in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. July's seasonal context—peak tourism, festivals, and extended daylight hours—likely contributed to the elevated levels of public order offences, which reached 14 cases (0.9 per 1,000 residents), 45% above the UK average. The town's retail sector, a key economic driver, may partly explain the 100% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK rate, though this figure remains well below the national average for similar urban centres. Anti-social behaviour, which rose 136.4% from June, may reflect the challenges of managing large crowds during summer events. While the overall crime rate suggests a need for increased community engagement, the data also reveals pockets of resilience: vehicle crime and burglary both fell below UK averages, indicating that certain aspects of local security measures may be effective. The interplay between tourism-driven crime and the town's established infrastructure highlights the need for targeted interventions during peak seasonal periods.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 233% increase in shoplifting, with cases rising from 6 to 20. This surge, which is 100% above the UK average, may partly reflect the town's retail activity during peak summer months. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply by 136.4%, reaching 26 incidents—13% above the UK average. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes surged by 300%, jumping from 1 to 4 cases, a rate 9% below the national average. This contrast highlights the uneven distribution of crime across categories. Vehicle crime fell by 33.3%, dropping from 3 to 2 cases, a trend consistent with the 79% UK-wide deficit in this category. These shifts suggest a combination of local factors and broader national trends, with retail and public spaces appearing as key focal points for criminal activity.

Dorking's crime rate in July 2023 rose sharply to 9.1 per 1,000 residents, a 50.2% increase from June's 6.0 per 1,000. This places the area 9.6% above the UK average, a gap that has widened significantly over recent months. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 5 crimes per day in July, highlighting the persistent presence of criminal activity. When scaled to the local population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 110 residents over the course of the month—a rate that underscores the need for community vigilance. While the increase in violence and sexual offences may partly reflect the influx of summer visitors, the sharp rise in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour suggests deeper, more complex factors at play. The contrast with the UK average in categories like shoplifting, which is 100% above the national rate, further illustrates the unique challenges facing Dorking compared to other areas.