Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

September 2023 marked a continuation of the lower-than-average crime profile in Great Bookham and Fetcham, a built-up area within the rural Mole Valley district. The overall crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0, reflecting a consistent pattern of below-average crime levels. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.4% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (10.9%) and public order offences (9.8%). These figures suggest a mix of local factors, including the area's relatively low population density and the seasonal context of September, which saw the return of students to local educational institutions and the start of the academic year. The decline in violent crime compared to the UK average may be partially explained by the area's character as a low-density, semi-rural commuter belt with limited nightlife activity. Seasonal factors, such as the transition to shorter evenings and the resumption of school routines, likely contributed to the subdued levels of public order offences and anti-social behaviour. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences highlights the need for continued attention to targeted policing strategies in high-risk areas, such as local transport hubs and community spaces. The overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, illustrating a broader trend that has persisted across multiple reporting periods.

September 2023 saw several notable shifts in the crime mix, with increases in drug-related offences (+100%) and shoplifting (+66.7%) compared to August. These rises may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the return of university students to local areas, which could have temporarily heightened demand for illicit substances or created opportunities for retail theft. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell sharply by 63.6%, likely due to the reduced frequency of outdoor events and the start of the academic term, which may have curtailed incidents of vandalism. The category of violence and sexual offences remained 38% below the UK average, with a rate of 1.7 per 1,000, despite a slight increase in overall violent crime numbers. This contrast with the UK average underscores the area's unique profile, where community cohesion and low population density may serve as protective factors against more severe forms of violence. Residents may find the 4.1 per 1,000 overall crime rate particularly relevant, as it translates to one reported crime for every 244 residents over the course of the month. The persistent underperformance of shoplifting and public order offences relative to the UK average further highlights the area's distinct characteristics, with fewer commercial hubs and public spaces that typically drive such crimes.

The crime rate in Great Bookham and Fetcham for September 2023 (4.1 per 1,000) reflects a 4.6% increase compared to the previous month's rate of 3.9 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. This month-on-month rise, while modest, is notable given the area's historical trend of low crime levels. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 3 crimes per day in September, a figure that aligns with its status as a low-density built-up area within a predominantly rural district. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 244 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of risk for individuals living in the area. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates the rarity of crime in everyday life despite the slight upward trend in September. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the area's resilience: with 22,408 residents, the total of 92 crimes represents a manageable proportion of the population, suggesting that local policing and community engagement efforts have been effective in maintaining low crime levels. The comparison to the UK average further reinforces the area's distinctiveness, as it continues to outperform national benchmarks in categories such as anti-social behaviour (70% below the UK average) and other theft (67% below). These figures collectively illustrate an area where crime is not only infrequent but also lower than the national average, even as small fluctuations occur month-to-month.