Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Great Bookham and Fetcham recorded a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 in January 2024, placing the area 54.1% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This statistic underscores the area’s consistently low crime profile, a trend that aligns with its character as a rural built-up area within Mole Valley. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (27.6% of total incidents), followed by vehicle crime (17.1%) and burglary (11.8%). These figures reflect the seasonal context of January, a month marked by reduced retail activity, shorter daylight hours, and a post-holiday lull that typically suppresses outdoor crimes. However, the area’s crime picture is not without nuance: while violent crime remained lower than the UK average, the 20% increase in vehicle crime compared to the national rate raises questions about local factors. The area’s proximity to major transport routes or the impact of colder weather on vehicle security measures could potentially explain this divergence. Similarly, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—jumping from two to nine incidents—suggests a possible link to seasonal disruptions. Despite these anomalies, the overall crime rate remains significantly below national levels, highlighting the effectiveness of local policing and community initiatives in maintaining safety. The data also reveals that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting were 80% and 82% below the UK average, respectively, pointing to a strong public order environment. This combination of factors illustrates a community that, while not immune to occasional spikes, generally enjoys a crime profile that is markedly safer than the national average.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 333% increase in vehicle crime, rising from three incidents in December to 13. This spike, which pushed the area’s rate to 0.6 per 1,000—20% above the UK average of 0.5—stands out as an unexpected anomaly in an otherwise stable environment. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson surged by 350%, jumping from two to nine incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with the 8.7% decline in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 23 to 21, a drop that aligns with the post-holiday lull in retail footfall and reduced social interactions. The area’s performance against the UK average reveals mixed trends: while violence and sexual offences were 65% below the national rate, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting were 80% and 82% below, respectively. These figures suggest that local factors—such as strong community engagement or effective policing—may be playing a role in suppressing certain crime types, despite the unexpected spikes in vehicle and property-related incidents.

The crime rate in Great Bookham and Fetcham rose from 2.0 per 1,000 in December 2023 to 3.4 per 1,000 in January 2024, marking a 73% increase. This shift positions the area as one of the few within Mole Valley showing a notable rise during the post-holiday period. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day in January, a figure that, while low compared to national averages, reflects the area’s generally safe profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 295 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When considering the local population of 22,408, this monthly exposure translates to a manageable level of risk for residents, though the increase from the previous month warrants attention. The area’s crime profile remains markedly safer than the UK average, which stood at 7.4 per 1,000, but the upward trend suggests a need to monitor local factors that may contribute to this shift.