Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2023, Reigate and Banstead recorded 938 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 26.2% below the UK average of 8.0, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to the national context. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (34.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.1%) and public order offences (9.8%). These patterns align with the area's character as a mix of suburban and rural environments, where retail and community hubs may contribute to anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. The seasonal context of May—longer evenings and increased social activity—likely influenced the rise in violence and sexual offences, as outdoor drinking and gatherings become more frequent. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the composition of crimes suggests a need to address targeted issues such as public order and anti-social behaviour, which are more prevalent in areas with higher population density or commercial activity. The relatively low rates of property crimes, including burglary (3.0% of total) and vehicle crime (5.3%), may reflect the area's suburban nature, where homes are more spread out and less prone to targeted theft. However, the sharp increase in robbery and weapons possession in May highlights a potential shift in local dynamics that warrants further analysis.

May 2023 saw a stark increase in robbery, with incidents rising by 500% compared to the previous month—jumping from 2 to 12 cases. This surge, while small in absolute terms, signals a notable shift in crime patterns. Simultaneously, possession of weapons rose by 350%, from 2 to 9 cases, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 43%. These increases contrast with declines in other areas: bicycle theft fell by 66.7%, likely linked to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during colder months. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime, contributing 17.1% of the total, yet still 25% below the UK average. The data also reveals that vehicle crime in the area was 33% below the national average, suggesting a lower incidence of theft or vandalism in this category. Residents may find the 500% rise in robbery particularly noteworthy, as it highlights a sharp, albeit isolated, trend warranting local attention.

Reigate and Banstead's crime rate in May 2023 rose to 5.9 per 1,000 residents, a 17.6% increase from April's 5.0. This equates to roughly 30 crimes per day, or one reported crime for every 170 residents over the course of the month. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average of 8.0, the upward trend suggests a shift in local patterns. The daily crime count provides a tangible sense of frequency: for every 100 residents, there were approximately 3 crimes reported in May. This rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to the same population size, though the month-on-month increase indicates a need for continued monitoring. The population context reinforces that even with the rise, the area remains significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 24% below the UK figure for the same category.