Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Reigate and Banstead's overall crime rate in August 2023 stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 25.9% below the UK average of 8.1. This performance reflects a combination of proactive policing and community engagement efforts, though seasonal factors may also play a role. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.7% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.3%) and public order offences (9.0%). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal conflicts and public spaces, consistent with the area's character as a commuter town with mixed residential and commercial zones. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes—such as burglary (3.8% of total crimes, 41% below UK average) and vehicle crime (6.7% of total crimes, 18% below UK average)—may partly explain the overall deficit compared to national trends. August, a peak holiday month, typically sees increased tourism and empty homes, which could theoretically elevate burglary risks but appear to have had the opposite effect here. The area's relatively low crime rates contrast with UK averages for categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, though local factors such as community cohesion and police resource allocation likely contribute to this divergence. These patterns highlight the importance of contextual analysis when interpreting crime statistics, as national averages may not always align with local realities.

August 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with vehicle crime increasing by 39.1% (46 → 64) and burglary rising by 9.1% (33 → 36), despite the overall rate remaining below the UK average. This uptick in vehicle crime may reflect increased summer traffic or changes in parking patterns around local amenities. Conversely, bicycle theft fell sharply by 42.9% (14 → 8), potentially due to improved cycle security measures or seasonal variations in cycling activity. Drug-related offences also decreased by 33.3% (36 → 24), though this remains a relatively minor category. The area's performance on specific crime types reveals a marked contrast with national trends: burglary rates are 41% below the UK average, while violence and sexual offences are 24% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, which constitutes 17.3% of all crimes, is 31% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing strategies. However, possession of weapons (0.1 per 1,000, 43% above UK average) and bicycle theft (11% above UK average) highlight areas requiring further attention. These variations underscore the complexity of local crime dynamics, where some categories align closely with national patterns while others deviate significantly.

Reigate and Banstead's crime rate in August 2023 (6.0 per 1,000) represented a 6.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.5 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 31 crimes per day during August, translating to roughly one reported crime for every 166 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though this is an aggregate measure and does not reflect daily fluctuations. The population context further illustrates the scale: with 159,134 residents, the 958 total crimes reported in August equate to a crime rate that is 25.9% below the UK average. This performance is particularly notable given the area's status as a commuter belt suburb, where higher population density and mixed land use typically correlate with elevated crime rates. The combination of below-average rates for violent crime (24% below UK average) and property crime (18–41% below UK average) suggests that local factors—such as community policing initiatives or socioeconomic characteristics—are effectively mitigating risks. However, the slight increases in vehicle crime and burglary highlight the need for continued vigilance in addressing emerging challenges.