The question of what is driving the high number of violence and sexual offences in Great Bookham and Fetcham is a complex one. While the area benefits from a generally high safety score of 90 out of 100 – significantly better than the UK average of 79 – the reported crime rate of 43.4 incidents per 1,000 residents requires scrutiny. This rate is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents.
It's important to contextualise these figures. A lower crime rate per 1,000 residents doesn’t necessarily mean the area is entirely free from concern. The population of Great Bookham and Fetcham is 22,408, so even a relatively small number of incidents can result in a seemingly elevated rate when calculated per capita.
Several factors could contribute to the reported offences, even within a relatively safe area. These aren't necessarily indicative of widespread criminal activity, but rather potential localised issues. Improved reporting rates due to increased community awareness and engagement can artificially inflate reported crime figures. Changes in police recording practices can also impact statistics. Furthermore, the specific nature of the offences – violence and sexual offences – are often underreported due to the sensitive nature of the crimes.
Without more granular data, such as breakdowns by type of offence, age group, or specific location within Great Bookham and Fetcham, it’s difficult to pinpoint precise causes. Further investigation by local authorities would be needed to identify any emerging trends or address underlying social or economic factors that may be contributing to the reported incidents. The fact that the safety score remains high suggests that overall, the community feels safe, but the vigilance regarding violence and sexual offences must remain a priority.