Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate

Great Bookham and Fetcham is a highly secure residential area, boasting a safety score of 90/100. Its current crime rate is 44.2 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.1. However, the area has seen a 12.0% increase in reported crime over the past year, a trend that highlights the importance of maintaining local security awareness. Property crime in the area stands at 14.0 per 1,000 people, which remains well below the national average of 32.9. Despite the recent increase, Great Bookham and Fetcham continues to be one of the safest urban settlements in the region. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types, temporal patterns, and advice for maintaining home and personal security.

Crime Breakdown in Great Bookham and Fetcham

The most significant crime categories in Great Bookham and Fetcham are violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences account for 38.6% of all recorded incidents, with 382 reports over the last year. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, making up 16.6%, while criminal damage and arson follows at 9.6%.

Property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—carries a rate of 14.0 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, other theft (6.7%), shoplifting (5.2%), and vehicle crime (5.0%) are the most frequent. Burglary represents 4.1% of all reports, which is a relatively low figure but still a primary concern for local homeowners.

For residents, these statistics indicate a safe residential environment where serious property crime is not widespread. However, the 12% year-over-year increase in total crime suggests that while the area remains safe, there is an upward trend in reported incidents that warrants increased awareness and proactive security measures to protect homes and personal property.

Crime Trends in Great Bookham and Fetcham

The crime trend in Great Bookham and Fetcham is currently increasing, with a 12.0% rise in total offences compared to the previous year. While the area remains statistically very safe, this upward shift is a notable change for the community.

Monthly data reveals a varied pattern throughout the year. The lowest crime rate was recorded in January at 2.1 per 1,000 people, followed by February at 2.3. However, there was a significant spike in March, reaching 4.6 per 1,000. Other peaks occurred in July (4.8), September (4.6), and August (4.3). These higher rates during the spring and summer months may be linked to increased outdoor activity and seasonal factors. Despite these fluctuations, even the peak months remained well below the UK national average. For residents, the overall trend suggests that while the area is safe, there is a need for continued vigilance as reporting levels have risen across several crime categories over the past 12 months.

How To Keep Safe in Great Bookham and Fetcham

The most common crime in Great Bookham and Fetcham is violence and sexual offences, representing 38.6% of all reports. While the overall rate is low, staying safe involves being mindful of your personal security, especially during the evening.

When out at night, stick to well-lit areas and avoid walking alone through isolated paths or parks. It is always better to travel with a friend or use a reputable taxi service for late-night journeys.

Be aware of your surroundings, especially near transport hubs or local shops. Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable in a situation, move to a busy, well-lit area immediately.

The 9.6% rate of criminal damage suggests that keeping your property well-maintained and clearly demarcated can help. Motion-activated lighting on the exterior of your home is a simple but effective way to deter anti-social behaviour and opportunistic damage.

With the recent 12% increase in crime, joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can provide valuable information on recent activity and help foster a stronger sense of community security.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Great Bookham and Fetcham

Crime patterns in Great Bookham and Fetcham follow a predictable daily cycle. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) and afternoon hours (12pm to 6pm) are dominated by theft offences, which make up 40% and 45% of reports respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are most likely to occur during busy daytime hours when footfall is high and properties may be unattended.

As the day moves into the evening (6pm to 12am), the crime profile shifts significantly. Theft drops to 16%, while "other" crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—surge to 52%. This indicates that social activity during the evening is the primary driver of incidents in this period.

The night-time (12am to 6am) presents a different risk profile, with vehicle crime peaking at 37% of reports. Burglary also reaches its highest concentration during this window at 20%. These figures highlight that property and vehicle security are most vulnerable during the overnight hours, making robust home protection essential for residents.

In the context of the surrounding Mole Valley and Guildford districts, Great Bookham and Fetcham is a very safe choice. It has a lower crime rate than many larger Surrey settlements. When compared to its immediate neighbours, it has a higher rate than the very small villages of Effingham, Mickleham, and Westhumble, which recorded zero crimes. However, it is roughly comparable to East Horsley, which has a rate of 31.8 per 1,000. For residents, this means that while Great Bookham and Fetcham is more active than the smallest rural hamlets, it remains a low-crime environment that is significantly safer than the UK national average and the major urban centres in the South East.

Home Security in Great Bookham and Fetcham

With a property crime rate of 14.0 per 1,000 and an overall 12% increase in reported incidents, homeowners in Great Bookham and Fetcham should consider upgrading their security strategy. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY doorbells, are often reactive—they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which does little to prevent the initial loss or trauma.

A proactive security system like scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By using AI to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect potential threats in real-time. It uses multi-camera intelligence to distinguish between normal activity—like a delivery or a neighbour—and suspicious behaviour. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting or speakers, surprising an intruder and causing them to move on. In an area where burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low but increasing, making your home a "hard target" is the most effective way to ensure it stays safe. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is a vital step for maintaining the security of your property in this safe but changing community.