Banstead Crime Rate

Banstead is a safe and highly desirable urban settlement, boasting a high safety score of 85/100. This is significantly better than the UK average of 79. The town's overall crime rate is 63.1 per 1,000 people, which is comfortably below the national average of 91.6. Current data from January 2025 to December 2025 shows that crime is decreasing significantly, with a -23.3% year-over-year change. This strong downward trend makes Banstead one of the most improving and secure towns in the Surrey region. For the 8,389 residents, Banstead offers a high quality of life, balancing a thriving high street with safe, well-established residential neighbourhoods. The combination of a high safety score and a sharply declining crime rate makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a secure lifestyle.

Banstead's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.8% of all reported incidents (184 cases). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.2% and shoplifting at 10.0%. The presence of shoplifting in the top three is indicative of Banstead's busy and popular high street, which serves as a key local retail hub.

Property crime in Banstead is a notable factor, with a combined rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the most frequent property offence (6.3 per 1,000), followed by vehicle crime (6.6%), other theft (6.6%), and burglary (6.2%). For homeowners, the 6.2% burglary rate (33 incidents) and 6.6% vehicle crime rate (35 incidents) indicate that while the town is safe, opportunistic theft remains a consistent risk. The overall property crime rate of 23.2 is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2, but it suggests that residents should remain vigilant and invest in quality security measures to protect their homes and vehicles from being targeted in this affluent urban centre. Criminal damage and arson also account for 6.0% of total crime, further highlighting the importance of property protection.

Banstead's crime trend is currently decreasing significantly, showing a -23.3% change year-over-year. This indicates a very positive shift in the town's safety environment that residents should find reassuring. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated throughout the year, but remained generally low.

The year started with a rate of 4.4 in January, rising slightly to a peak of 7.2 in July. This summer peak is a common seasonal pattern. However, the rates then saw a notable decline towards the end of the year, dropping to a low of 3.2 in October before finishing at 4.4 in December. This overall downward trajectory, combined with a high safety score, suggests that local safety initiatives and community vigilance are very effective. For residents, this provides a high degree of confidence in the local security environment.

How To Keep Safe in Banstead

The most common crime in Banstead is violence and sexual offences, which often occur in the town centre's busy public spaces. To maintain your personal safety in Banstead, consider these practical steps.

1. When walking through the town centre or near the high street late at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid quieter, less-travelled paths if you are alone.
2. Be vigilant with your personal belongings in the town's retail areas; shoplifting accounts for 10% of total crime, and opportunistic thieves can target distracted shoppers in busy stores and cafes.
3. Ensure your vehicle is parked securely, ideally in a garage or well-lit driveway, as vehicle crime peaks significantly during the night hours (44% of night-time crime).
4. If you live in a residential area, join a local neighbourhood watch scheme to stay informed about any suspicious activity and to foster a stronger community safety network.
5. Make your home appear occupied when you are out in the evening by using smart lighting or timers, which can help deter the anti-social behaviour and criminal damage that occasionally occurs in the town.

Crime in Banstead follows a predictable urban cycle. The morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted towards theft-related offences (41% and 43% respectively), which coincide with the opening of local shops and the highest levels of daytime footfall. This suggests that much of the daytime crime is opportunistic and retail-focused.

As evening falls, the crime profile shifts. While theft decreases, other types of crime become more prominent. Night-time (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for 44% of reports during these hours. Burglary risk also increases at night (30%) and is even higher in the afternoon (32%). These patterns highlight that while the town is busy and active during the day, the primary risks to private property—such as vehicles and residential homes—occur either during the working day when homes are empty or under the cover of darkness when streets are quieter.

In the local context, Banstead stands out as a safe urban centre. Its crime rate of 63.1 per 1,000 is slightly higher than nearby Tadworth and Epsom Downs (55.0) but lower than Ewell (70.6). It is also safer than many larger towns in the wider region. While very small rural areas like Kingswood or Chipstead and Woodmansterne report lower crime volumes, Banstead offers a much higher level of safety than many other towns of its size and economic activity. For residents, this makes Banstead a secure and attractive choice compared to busier nearby urban hubs.

Banstead's property crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 indicates that while the town is generally safe, opportunistic theft—especially shoplifting and vehicle crime—is a persistent reality. For many residents in this affluent area, traditional security measures like basic CCTV or standard alarm systems are the default. However, these systems are fundamentally reactive; they record a crime as it happens or alert you after an intruder has already entered. In a town like Banstead, where high-value assets are common, reactive recording is often too late.

A proactive AI security system like scOS offers a superior alternative. By monitoring the perimeter of your property using intelligent AI, scOS can detect a threat before a break-in occurs. It can differentiate between a regular visitor and someone suspiciously loitering near your vehicle or checking your side gates. When a threat is identified, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents—such as lights or audio warnings—to stop the intruder in their tracks. For Banstead residents, this shift from recording to prevention is the most effective way to safeguard their homes and families, ensuring that their property remains a hard target for opportunistic crime.