Dorking Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dorking's built-up area recorded a crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 1.2% above the UK average. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 32.8% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.7%) and public order offences (11.9%). The seasonal context of October—marked by the clocks going back, darker evenings, and Halloween—likely influenced the distribution of crime types. While public order and vehicle crime rose significantly, these increases may be attributed to the timing of local events and the impact of reduced daylight hours. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained 22% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area's character as a market town with a relatively stable community. The higher-than-average rates for public order (69% above UK) and vehicle crime (92% above UK) suggest a need for targeted policing in areas with high foot traffic or seasonal activity. Conversely, burglary remained 71% below the UK average, consistent with Dorking's status as a low-risk built-up area within a rural district. The month's crime profile illustrates a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the physical characteristics of the area, with the slight overall increase in crime rate indicating a need for continued monitoring of specific categories like public order and vehicle crime.

October 2023 saw a striking surge in vehicle crime, with incidents rising from 3 to 16—a 433.3% increase—potentially linked to Halloween events or increased traffic during darker evenings. This spike contrasts sharply with notable declines in other areas: drugs-related crimes fell by 66.7%, and other thefts dropped by 61.5%, possibly reflecting seasonal changes in local activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, remained 22% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or local initiatives in this category. Public order offences also rose by 45.5%, aligning with the seasonal context of October, when clocks go back and Halloween-related events may contribute to increased disorder. Meanwhile, burglary remained 71% below the UK average, consistent with Dorking's character as a relatively low-risk built-up area within a rural district. For residents, the 433.3% increase in vehicle crime offers a clear data point to consider when assessing local safety measures.

Dorking's overall crime rate in October 2023 stood at 8.1 per 1,000 residents, a 2.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.3 per 1,000. This slight decline suggests a continued stabilization in local crime trends. above the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 reported crimes each day in October, a figure that contextualizes the pace of criminal activity within the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 123 residents, a monthly exposure rate that provides a tangible sense of how frequently crime affects the local population. While the overall rate is marginally lower than September, the distribution of crime types reveals shifts in criminal activity that warrant closer examination. The population-scaled perspective underscores that Dorking's crime profile, though slightly elevated compared to the UK, remains relatively low when considering the area's size and characteristics as a market town within a rural district.