Great Bookham and Fetcham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected development in January 2026 was the 300% spike in shoplifting, a crime type typically low in this built-up area of Mole Valley. With 4 incidents recorded, this marked a sharp departure from the area’s usual patterns, which are 65% below the UK average for shoplifting. Overall, the crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents placed the area 52.9% below the UK average, reflecting a consistently safer profile than the national norm. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (26 cases, 36.6% of total), burglary (11 cases, 15.5%), and anti-social behaviour (10 cases, 14.1%). These figures align with the area’s character as a relatively quiet commuter suburb with limited nightlife and a strong community presence. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with reduced retail footfall and shorter days—likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate. Violent crimes, while still lower than the UK average, accounted for nearly 40% of all incidents, a figure that may be partly explained by the area’s proximity to local amenities and schools, which can see increased foot traffic during certain times. Burglary, despite being 79% above the UK average, remained a rare occurrence in a region where property crime is generally subdued, suggesting that targeted vulnerabilities rather than widespread trends may be at play. Anti-social behaviour, at 14.1% of total crimes, was 46% below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s reputation for community cohesion. The data underscores the importance of context in interpreting crime statistics, as local factors—such as population density, economic activity, and seasonal rhythms—can shape patterns in ways that differ from national trends.

The most striking shift in January 2026 was the 300% increase in shoplifting, which rose from 1 to 4 incidents. This unexpected rise contrasts with the area’s generally low theft rates, which are 65% below the UK average for shoplifting. Concurrently, public order offences doubled from 2 to 6, a jump that may reflect the post-holiday period’s impact on local dynamics. Other crime, a category encompassing a range of minor incidents, saw a 300% surge, moving from 1 to 4 cases. This category’s sharp increase highlights the need for further local analysis to understand its drivers. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 83.3%, dropping from 6 to 1, a decline that could be linked to reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours typical of January. Other theft also decreased by 55.6%, from 9 to 4, though this remains 57% below the UK average. Burglary, however, stood out as 79% above the UK average, with 11 incidents recorded, suggesting a unique vulnerability in property crime that deserves closer attention.

The crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly to 3.2 per 1,000 residents, a 7.5% increase from the previous month’s 3.0 per 1,000. This places the area within a range that reflects typical seasonal fluctuations, particularly in a built-up area with a mix of residential and commercial zones. On a daily basis, approximately 2 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that aligns with the area’s low overall crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 316 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to national averages. When scaled to the population of 22,408, this suggests that residents are not frequently encountering crime in their daily lives. The slight increase from December may be attributed to post-holiday patterns, though no major events or disruptions were reported in the data to confirm this. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with the monthly exposure rate being a rare occurrence for most residents.