Dorking Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dorking’s January 2024 crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents places it 9.5% below the UK average of 7.4, a distinction that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime environment. For a population of 16,544, this translates to 111 total crimes recorded in the month, a figure that, while not negligible, remains proportionally lower than the national context. The crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences (36.9% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and shoplifting (11.7%). These patterns align with the characteristics of a built-up area within a rural district, where the concentration of residential and commercial activity may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crimes compared to more sparsely populated regions. Seasonal factors also appear to influence the data, with January’s reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours likely contributing to lower levels of outdoor crimes typical of busier months. However, the dominance of violent offences suggests that local dynamics—such as the presence of community spaces or social interactions—may play a role in shaping the crime profile. Shoplifting’s 40% increase above the UK average (0.8 per 1,000) indicates a specific challenge in retail areas, linked to the post-holiday period when stores may experience higher turnover or staff shortages. This contrast with the 4% deficit in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average underscores the need for targeted interventions in retail environments while maintaining the overall safety standards that have kept Dorking below the national benchmark.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson increasing by 120% (from 5 to 11 incidents), a sharp rise that may reflect post-holiday property neglect or seasonal maintenance delays. Bicycle theft also doubled, reaching 2 incidents, a figure that could align with the return of cyclists after winter break or increased theft opportunities in colder weather. Conversely, other crime decreased by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), and drugs-related offences fell by 50%, indicating reduced activity during the post-holiday lull. Violence and sexual offences remained 4% below the UK average (2.5 per 1,000), while shoplifting surged 40% above the national benchmark (0.8 per 1,000). These disparities highlight the uneven distribution of crime types, with property-related offences such as shoplifting and criminal damage showing marked divergence from the UK profile. Residents may find the 120% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly concerning, given its potential impact on local infrastructure and safety.

Dorking’s crime rate in January 2024 (6.7 per 1,000 residents) was 2.6% lower than the previous month’s rate of 6.9 per 1,000, marking a slight downward trend. This equates to roughly 4 crimes reported each day in the built-up area, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the local crime frequency. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 149 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 16,544, the 111 total crimes recorded in January represent a relatively low proportion of the area’s residents compared to the UK average. This population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite specific fluctuations in certain crime categories, the overall crime environment in Dorking remains below the national benchmark. The consistency in this trend suggests that local factors, such as community policing efforts or seasonal patterns, may be contributing to the sustained lower rate compared to the UK average.