Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Great Bookham and Fetcham recorded 67 crimes across a population of 22,408 residents, equating to a crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000—a figure that is 57.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This rate, while modest, reflects the area’s built-up character within Mole Valley, where community cohesion and local policing likely contribute to lower crime levels. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.8% of all reported incidents (26 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.9%, 10 cases) and other theft (9.0%, 6 cases). These patterns may be influenced by seasonal factors: the holiday season’s dark evenings and temporary absences from homes could heighten vulnerability to violent crime, while the absence of large retail hubs may reduce shoplifting opportunities. However, the area’s violent crime rate—1.2 per 1,000—remains 53% below the UK average for this category, consistent with the lower population density and community-focused environment typical of smaller built-up areas. Anti-social behaviour, though less frequent than in larger urban centres, still reflects the challenges of managing public spaces in a densely populated area with limited commercial infrastructure. The data also highlights a marked seasonal shift: December’s crime profile, dominated by violence and anti-social behaviour, contrasts with the more property-focused trends seen in other months, likely driven by the holiday season’s social dynamics.

December 2024 marked a stark contrast in crime trends, with shoplifting plummeting by 81.8% (from 11 to 2 cases) compared to November, likely linked to holiday-related retail closures and reduced foot traffic. Conversely, burglary and drug-related offences rose sharply: burglary increased by 50% (4 to 6 cases), and drug offences jumped 50% (2 to 3 cases). This shift in crime mix may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased property vulnerabilities during the festive period or heightened illicit activity in darker evenings. Violent crime in the area—26 incidents—remains 53% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a figure that aligns with the area’s character as a quieter, built-up community within Mole Valley. Residents might find the 81.8% drop in shoplifting particularly reassuring, as it suggests fewer opportunities for petty theft during a typically high-risk month.

In December 2024, the crime rate in Great Bookham and Fetcham dropped to 3.0 per 1,000 residents, a 22.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.9. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as December’s dark evenings and holiday-related absences may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 334 residents. When scaled to the population of 22,408, this suggests a relatively low frequency of crime compared to larger urban areas, though the local context of a built-up area within Mole Valley means community dynamics and local policing efforts play a significant role. The monthly exposure figure, while low, underscores that even modest crime numbers can feel impactful in a tightly knit community where familiarity with residents is common.