Leatherhead Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 12,105, 115 crimes reported in April 2023 translates to 9.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, a rate 26.7% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure, while concerning, is consistent with Leatherhead's status as a built-up area within Mole Valley, where a blend of residential and commercial activity may contribute to higher-than-average crime rates. The top three crime categories—violence and sexual offences (25 incidents), shoplifting (19 incidents), and anti-social behaviour (18 incidents)—reflect patterns often seen in areas with moderate urban density. Violence and sexual offences, though 19% below the UK average, remain a significant concern, potentially linked to increased social interactions during the Easter holiday period. Shoplifting's 233% deviation above the UK average may be driven by the area's retail presence, with high streets and commercial zones acting as focal points for such activity. Anti-social behaviour, which was 27% above the UK average, could be tied to the transient nature of some populations or the influence of seasonal events. The overall crime rate, while elevated compared to the national average, is tempered by the relatively low levels of violent crime and the absence of major spikes in property-related offences. Seasonal factors, such as the Easter period and spring weather, likely contributed to the observed patterns, with increased outdoor activity and foot traffic influencing both property and public order crimes.

April 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Drug-related incidents doubled from zero to two, while bicycle theft and possession of weapons also doubled, marking a sharp increase in these areas. This uptick may be linked to seasonal factors, such as increased outdoor activity during Easter and the potential for unsecured bikes in public spaces. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 83.3% compared to March, likely due to reduced traffic during the Easter holiday period or improved vehicle security measures. Other theft decreased by 27.3%, possibly influenced by heightened awareness or seasonal changes in retail activity. Shoplifting in Leatherhead was 233% above the UK average, a stark deviation that may be attributed to the area's retail presence and foot traffic patterns. Meanwhile, public order offences dropped by 22.2%, suggesting a temporary reduction in incidents linked to seasonal or event-related factors.

Leatherhead's crime rate in April 2023 (9.5 per 1,000) represents a 4.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.9 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, aligns with a broader trend observed in some commuter towns during the Easter period, when temporary population shifts and seasonal rhythms may influence reporting patterns. On a daily basis, Leatherhead experienced approximately four crimes per day in April, a figure that, while specific to the area, provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 105 residents, a metric that contextualises the risk in terms of population size. Given Leatherhead's status as a built-up area within Mole Valley—a region historically characterised by a mix of residential and commercial zones—the rate of 9.5 per 1,000 places it above the UK average, yet the monthly exposure figure underscores that the majority of residents remain unaffected by crime. This balance between statistical anomaly and local reality highlights the importance of interpreting crime data within the specific demographic and geographic framework of the area.