Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 marked a continuation of Great Bookham and Fetcham’s historically low crime rates, with an overall rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—53.8% below the UK average. The area’s crime profile reflects a mix of localized patterns and broader seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences remained the most frequently reported crime category, accounting for 25.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.1%) and vehicle crime (12.2%). These figures align with the characteristics of a built-up area within a rural district, where public spaces and vehicle-related incidents are more common than in densely populated urban centres. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—likely contributed to increased anti-social behaviour and public order offences, though the overall rate of these crimes remained significantly below the UK average. Vehicle crime, despite a 150% increase from September, still sits at 0.5 per 1,000, slightly below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This suggests that while localized spikes occur, the area’s infrastructure and community dynamics generally mitigate broader criminal trends. The low rates of burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and theft from the person (0.0 per 1,000) further highlight the area’s safety profile, though the sudden rise in vehicle crime and criminal damage warrants attention. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in areas with high vehicle turnover or during events that attract transient crowds, as these may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.

Vehicle crime saw a dramatic 150% increase in October, rising from 4 to 10 incidents. This spike, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, raises concerns for local drivers and residents. Concurrently, theft from the person doubled from 0 to 1 case, a rare but notable occurrence in an area typically low for such crimes. Criminal damage and arson also rose by 75%, from 4 to 7 incidents, potentially linked to Halloween-related activities or seasonal vandalism. In contrast, burglary rates fell sharply by 71.4%, from 7 to 2 cases, a trend consistent with the area’s overall decline in property crimes. The violence and sexual offences category, while still the most common crime type, decreased by 46.2%, suggesting possible success in local safety initiatives or a shift in crime patterns. These fluctuations underscore the importance of community vigilance, particularly around vehicle security and public spaces during darker evenings.

October 2023 saw a 10.9% decrease in the overall crime rate compared to the previous month, falling from 4.1 to 3.7 per 1,000 residents. This decline places the area significantly below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, with a 53.8% gap that persists despite seasonal factors. Locally, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 273 residents, a figure that reflects the area’s low-density built-up character within Mole Valley. On a daily basis, approximately three crimes occurred each day in October, a rate that remains consistent with the area’s historical trend of low criminal activity. While the population of 22,408 is spread across a mix of rural and suburban environments, the crime statistics suggest that localized factors—such as seasonal transitions or specific community dynamics—may influence monthly fluctuations. The drop in burglary rates (-71.4%) and violence and sexual offences (-46.2%) could indicate improved community engagement or environmental measures, though these shifts require further analysis to confirm their drivers.