Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

May 2023 saw a notable shift in the crime profile of Great Bookham and Fetcham, with criminal damage and arson surging by 650% compared to the previous month. This dramatic increase, while unusual, did not overshadow the area’s continued status as one of the safest in the UK, with a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents—51.2% below the national average. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 26.4% of total incidents, but this rate was 64% below the UK average. Public order offences, which rose by 128.6% to 16 incidents, and criminal damage and arson, which jumped from 2 to 15, reflected a broader trend of property-related and disruptive incidents. Seasonal factors, such as longer evenings and the influence of bank holidays, may have contributed to these patterns, as outdoor socialising and drinking activity typically increases in May. The area’s low crime rate is consistent with its character as a built-up area within Mole Valley, where community cohesion and lower population density may naturally deter more serious crimes. While the surge in criminal damage and arson is concerning, the overall context—particularly the stark contrast with UK averages—suggests that the area’s safety remains a priority for residents and local authorities.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in May 2023 was a 650% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 2 to 15 incidents. This sharp spike contrasts with the 300% rise in shoplifting and 128.6% increase in public order offences, both of which point to a shift in the crime mix. While property crimes accounted for 31 of the total 87 incidents, violent crimes—primarily violence and sexual offences—remained the most prevalent category, contributing 26.4% of the total. This category was 64% below the UK average, a figure that aligns with the area’s generally low violent crime profile. The 31.5% rise in the overall crime rate compared to April 2023 may reflect seasonal factors, such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which could partly explain the uptick in public order offences. Residents may find the 100% reduction in possession of weapons and robbery offences—both down to zero from previous months—particularly reassuring, as these categories are typically associated with more serious incidents.

The crime rate in Great Bookham and Fetcham rose by 31.5% in May 2023 compared to the previous month, moving from 3.0 to 3.9 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stands at 8.0 per 1,000. Locally, the average resident experienced one reported crime for every 258 people over the course of the month—a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents in a way that may reassure residents. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly three crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the small population and the historically low crime profile of the built-up area. This monthly exposure rate, while showing a slight upward trend, remains well below the national average, underscoring the area’s relative safety despite recent fluctuations. The population context further highlights that even with the 31.5% rise, the absolute number of crimes remains modest when scaled to the local population size, offering a balanced perspective for those living or working in the area.