Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 22,408 residents, the 44 crimes recorded in Great Bookham and Fetcham during December 2023 translate to 2.0 crimes per 1,000 people. This figure is 72.2% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, highlighting a safer environment compared to national trends. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 52.3% of all reported incidents (23 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.9%) and other theft (9.1%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of December, a month marked by extended evenings, holiday gatherings, and increased foot traffic in local areas. The relatively low levels of property crime—only 10 incidents compared to 23 violent crimes—suggest that community-focused policing and the area’s character as a suburban commuter town may contribute to this balance. However, the presence of violent offences remains a concern, particularly during the Christmas shopping period when public spaces see heightened activity. The data also shows that local crime rates for categories like anti-social behaviour and public order are significantly below UK averages, potentially reflecting the area’s lower population density and strong community engagement initiatives. While the overall crime rate remains low, the concentration of violent offences in December raises questions about how seasonal factors interact with local demographics to influence crime patterns.

December 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends for Great Bookham and Fetcham. Bicycle theft rose by 100% (from 0 to 1 case), a stark increase that may reflect increased holiday cycling activity or targeted thefts during festive events. Vehicle crime also increased by 50% (from 2 to 3), possibly linked to seasonal changes in parking habits or the presence of delivery vehicles in residential areas. Conversely, criminal damage and arson plummeted by 81.8% (from 11 to 2), a drop that could be attributed to the holiday season deterring such acts due to heightened community vigilance or reduced opportunities for vandalism. The breakdown of crime types reveals a marked contrast with UK averages: violence and sexual offences in the area are 62% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour is 68% below the UK average. This suggests that local factors—such as the area’s suburban nature and lower population density—may play a role in keeping these categories at relatively low levels. For residents, the most immediately relevant finding is the 42.2% decrease in the overall crime rate compared to November 2023, a decline that underscores the effectiveness of recent policing efforts or seasonal factors that naturally reduce crime during the holiday period.

The crime rate in Great Bookham and Fetcham during December 2023 (2.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 42.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.4 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend in local crime. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly one crime reported per day across the 31-day period, a figure that, while not negligible, suggests a relatively low level of criminal activity in this suburban area. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate—1 reported crime for every 509 residents—provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents, emphasizing that the likelihood of experiencing crime remains significantly lower than the UK average. This comparison is particularly meaningful for those considering relocation or investing in the area, as it highlights the relative safety of Great Bookham and Fetcham compared to other parts of the country. The population-scaled perspective also underscores the area’s effectiveness in managing crime, whether through community policing strategies, local infrastructure, or the natural characteristics of a commuter town with limited high-density residential zones. While the overall rate remains low, the distribution of crime types—particularly the concentration of violent offences—suggests that targeted interventions may still be necessary to address specific vulnerabilities in the local crime profile.