Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

A 250% surge in bicycle theft in June 2023 stood out as the most unexpected shift in Reigate and Banstead’s crime profile. While the overall crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents remained 24.7% below the UK average, this spike in a specific category challenged assumptions about seasonal crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35.5% of all crimes, with 359 incidents reported, a rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents—21% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 14.8%, with 150 incidents, a figure 39% lower than the national average. These figures align with Reigate and Banstead’s character as a commuter-focused area with a mix of suburban and rural zones, where public order issues often arise in community spaces. The summer months typically see increased outdoor activity, which may partly explain the higher proportion of violent crimes compared to other periods. However, the bicycle theft increase defied seasonal expectations, suggesting factors like targeted theft or changes in cycling patterns. The area’s relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average—despite the violent crime spike—may reflect effective local policing strategies or the community’s demographic profile, which includes a significant proportion of older residents and families. Public order offences, at 10.5% of total crimes, showed a slight 4% increase above the UK average, linked to increased foot traffic during the summer months. This mix of trends highlights the combination of local conditions and national crime trends, warranting further analysis of specific hotspots and offender behaviour.

June 2023 saw a 250% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 2 to 7 incidents—a sharp contrast to the 58.3% drop in robbery, which fell from 12 to 5. This divergence in property crime trends suggests shifting patterns in criminal activity, with theft from vulnerable assets like bikes rising while more severe crimes like robbery declined. The violent crime category, though 21% below the UK average, remained the largest single category at 35.5% of total crimes, indicating persistent challenges in addressing interpersonal conflicts. Anti-social behaviour, at 14.8% of all crimes, decreased by 6.3% compared to May, a drop that may reflect targeted interventions or seasonal factors such as reduced alcohol-related incidents during the early summer. Other crime—encompassing cybercrime and fraud—rose by 68.8% to 27 incidents, a figure 33% above the UK average. This increase could signal growing awareness of such crimes or changes in reporting practices. The category of 'other theft'—which includes shoplifting and burglary—fell by 11% to 73 incidents, a decline consistent with the 44% UK-wide reduction in shoplifting. These shifts underscore the importance of localized analysis, as national trends may not always mirror local conditions. For residents, the 250% rise in bicycle theft highlights the need for increased security measures for parked bikes, particularly in areas with high commuter traffic.

The crime rate in Reigate and Banstead rose by 8.0% from 5.9 per 1,000 in May to 6.4 per 1,000 in June, marking a slight upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. This increase translates to 34 crimes reported per day on average, a figure that, while modest, reflects the local population’s exposure to crime: over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 157 residents. When compared to the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, the area’s performance highlights the effectiveness of local policing or demographic factors such as a higher proportion of middle-aged and older residents, who may be less likely to report certain crimes. The daily crime count of 34 per day provides context for residents, showing that while the area is generally safe, vigilance remains necessary. The monthly exposure statistic of 1-in-157 residents being affected by crime underscores the relatively low risk compared to national benchmarks, but the 8.0% increase from the previous month suggests that ongoing monitoring is essential. This rise, though small in absolute terms, could signal emerging trends or the impact of specific events, such as the start of the summer season increasing foot traffic in local areas. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that Reigate and Banstead’s crime profile is shaped by its unique characteristics—such as its commuter-oriented infrastructure and suburban layout—which may contribute to lower rates of certain crimes like burglary, where the area’s rate was 6% below the national average.