Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Reigate and Banstead recorded a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 25% below the UK average of 7.2. This figure underscores the area’s relatively secure environment, though the crime mix reveals a notable dominance of violent crimes over property crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.7%) and public order offences (8.9%). This skew toward violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically hold a larger share. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and empty homes over the holidays—likely contributed to these patterns. While property crimes like shoplifting and burglary remained below national averages, the rise in violent incidents may reflect increased social interactions during the festive season. The lower crime rate compared to the UK average could be influenced by the area’s character as a suburban district with a mix of residential and commercial zones. For instance, the dominance of violent crimes might be linked to the presence of local amenities and community hubs that attract foot traffic, whereas the lower property crime rates could stem from effective local policing or the absence of high-risk commercial areas. However, the sharp increase in theft from the person—rising 300% compared to November—suggests that targeted retail environments, such as high-street shops during the Christmas period, may have become focal points for opportunistic crimes. This data highlights the combination of seasonal factors and local geography in shaping crime patterns, though the overall lower rate indicates that Reigate and Banstead continues to perform better than the national average in maintaining public safety.

December 2023 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with violent crimes (339) outnumbering property crimes (264) by nearly 30%. This imbalance may partly explain the area’s 25% reduction in overall crime compared to the UK average, as violent crime rates in Reigate and Banstead were 20% below the national figure. Among the most significant month-on-month changes, theft from the person surged by 300%, rising from 2 to 8 incidents—a sharp increase that could reflect heightened retail activity during the Christmas shopping period. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 29%, linked to shorter evenings and reduced public congregation during the festive season. The category of possession of weapons also rose by 57.1%, moving from 7 to 11 incidents, a figure that is 67% above the UK average. This anomaly deserves closer attention, as it deviates from the otherwise consistent trend of Reigate and Banstead’s crime rates being below national averages. For residents, the 28 crimes reported daily in December offer a tangible benchmark for understanding local crime frequency, though this rate remains lower than many comparable areas.

Reigate and Banstead's December 2023 crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 7.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.8. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as the festive period often sees reduced outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 28 crimes per day in December, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low crime environment compared to the UK average. This statistic, when viewed alongside the local population of 159,134, suggests that while crime remains a concern, its impact is distributed across a large community. The reduction in anti-social behaviour by 29% and vehicle crime by 28.8% may reflect holiday-related changes in behaviour, such as reduced alcohol consumption in public spaces or increased car usage during the festive season. These shifts highlight how local demographics and seasonal rhythms interact with crime patterns in ways that differ from national averages.