Leatherhead Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.8% of all crimes in Leatherhead in October 2023, making them the dominant category and contributing to the area’s crime rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residents—38.7% above the UK average. This figure highlights a stark contrast to national trends, with Leatherhead’s rates significantly exceeding the UK’s 8.0 per 1,000. The prevalence of violent crime may be tied to the area’s characteristics as a built-up district within Mole Valley, where a mix of residential and commercial zones could create environments conducive to such incidents. Public order offences (14.2% of total crimes) and shoplifting (13.4%) followed closely, both far outpacing their UK counterparts. Public order offences, at 1.6 per 1,000, were 171% above the UK average, reflecting the impact of local events or increased pedestrian activity in high-traffic areas. Shoplifting’s 1.5 per 1,000 rate—159% above the UK average—may be linked to the presence of retail hubs or unstaffed premises during peak shopping hours. Seasonal factors, such as the transition to darker evenings in October and the approach of Halloween, likely influenced these patterns, with increased visibility of crime during low-light conditions and potential spikes in alcohol-related incidents. The data also reveals a nuanced picture: while violent and property crimes rose, burglary and vehicle crime saw declines, suggesting that local initiatives or environmental factors may have mitigated these categories. This combination of trends underscores the need for targeted policing strategies and community engagement to address the most pressing issues.

October 2023 saw a 300% surge in bicycle theft, rising from one to four cases. This spike may reflect increased cycling during darker evenings or unsecured bike storage near local amenities. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson jumped by 120%, with incidents doubling from five to 11. This could align with seasonal transitions, as autumn often sees more outdoor activity and potential for vandalism. Public order offences also rose by 58.3%, from 12 to 19 cases, a figure 171% above the UK average. This category’s sharp increase may indicate heightened tensions in public spaces, linked to Halloween events or increased foot traffic in the area. Vehicle crime fell by 57.1%, a stark contrast to the overall rise in crime rates, suggesting that targeted policing or seasonal factors may have reduced this category. Burglary also declined slightly, though the drop (20%) was modest compared to the broader trend.

Leatherhead’s crime rate in October 2023 rose to 11.1 per 1,000 residents, a 24.1% increase from the previous month’s 8.9 per 1,000. This upward trend suggests a shift in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately four crimes reported each day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 90 residents. While this figure is a local metric and cannot be directly compared to UK-wide data, it underscores the frequency of incidents within Leatherhead’s population of 12,105. The increase contrasts with some categories showing declines, such as vehicle crime, which fell by 57.1% (from 7 to 3 cases). This mixed pattern may reflect seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings in October, which could influence both criminal activity and policing visibility.