Dorking Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 16,544, Dorking recorded 95 crimes in January 2025 — equivalent to 0.57% of residents being directly affected. This rate of 5.7 crimes per 1,000 people places the area 19.7% below the UK average of 7.1, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile than national trends. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (29 cases, 30.5% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16 cases, 16.8%) and criminal damage and arson (11 cases, 11.6%). These figures align with the area's character as a semi-rural built-up zone within Mole Valley, where lower population density and limited commercial activity may contribute to reduced property crime rates. Seasonal factors also appear to influence patterns: the post-holiday period in January likely reduced retail footfall, potentially lowering shoplifting and theft from the person. However, the data shows a marked contrast in violent crime trends — while overall violence and sexual offences fell by 49.1% compared to December, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage rose sharply, linked to colder weather driving more indoor activity or seasonal disputes. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (4 cases, 0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (1 case, 0.1 per 1,000) further suggest a safer environment for residents compared to urban centres, though the 37% increase in criminal damage and arson raises questions about local factors such as community engagement or infrastructure vulnerabilities.

January 2025 saw dramatic shifts in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson surging by 450% (from 2 to 11 cases) — the most significant increase of any category. This jump, though still below the UK average for the type, may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather prompting more indoor gatherings or disputes. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 300% (from 1 to 4 cases), potentially linked to increased vehicle usage during the post-holiday period or changes in parking patterns. Conversely, violent crimes dropped by 49.1% compared to December, with violence and sexual offences falling from 57 to 29 cases — a reduction of 28% below the UK average for this category. Other thefts fell by 50% (from 8 to 4 cases), which could indicate improved security measures or a temporary decrease in opportunistic crime. The area's performance in anti-social behaviour (16 cases, 1.0 per 1,000) was 2% above the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted community interventions. The stark contrast between rising criminal damage and falling violent crime highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, with factors such as community policing efforts or seasonal shifts likely playing a role. For residents, the 28% below-average rate for violence and sexual offences offers a tangible reassurance of relative safety compared to national trends.

Dorking's crime rate in January 2025 fell to 5.7 per 1,000 residents, a 5.0% decrease from December's rate of 6.0 — the first monthly decline since October 2024. This brings the area's annual rate to a level that, over the course of a year, would see one reported crime for roughly every 174 residents — a figure significantly lower than the UK's average exposure. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a manageable frequency that contrasts sharply with larger urban centres. The 1-in-174 monthly exposure rate translates to about 0.57% of the population being directly affected each month, a proportion lower than the UK average. This context is critical for residents: while the area's crime rate remains below the national benchmark, the 37% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average for this category suggests targeted risks that may require specific mitigation strategies. The comparison also highlights the area's relative success in reducing violent crime — with violence and sexual offences 28% below the UK average — though the rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage indicates areas for improvement. For a community of 16,544, these figures demonstrate that while Dorking is not immune to crime, its overall profile remains markedly safer than the national average, with the daily crime count suggesting a level of security that is accessible to most residents.