Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 159,134 residents, 938 reported crimes in May 2023 equate to approximately one crime for every 170 people over the course of the month. This translates to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents, placing Reigate and Banstead 26.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The area’s crime profile reveals a distinct pattern: violence and sexual offences (327 incidents, 34.9% of total) and anti-social behaviour (160 incidents, 17.1%) dominate, followed by public order offences (92 incidents, 9.8%). These figures align with the seasonal rhythm of May, which features bank holidays and extended evening hours that typically correlate with increased social activity in public spaces. The relatively low levels of property crime compared to violent crime suggest a community where interpersonal disputes and public disorder are more prevalent than burglary or theft. This dynamic may reflect the area’s character as a commuter town with a mix of suburban and rural elements, where community interactions in shared spaces like parks and local centres are frequent. The crime rate is lower than the UK average for most categories, with violence and sexual offences being 24% below the national average. This could indicate effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives, though such speculation must remain tentative without further data. The seasonal context of May—with its warmer weather and longer evenings—likely contributes to the observed trends, as outdoor drinking and socialising increase, amplifying incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order issues.

May 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with robbery incidents surging by 500% (from 2 to 12) and possession of weapons rising by 350% (from 2 to 9). These spikes, while statistically notable, remain relatively rare given the overall crime rate. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), possibly reflecting seasonal factors or targeted policing efforts. The area’s crime mix shifted slightly from April, with violent crimes (327) outpacing property crimes (314) for the first time this year. Reigate and Banstead’s violent crime rate (2.1 per 1,000) is 24% below the UK average, suggesting a lower incidence of severe interpersonal violence compared to other parts of the country. This contrast is particularly striking when considering the UK average for violent crimes (2.8 per 1,000). Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.6 per 1,000) are both significantly below national averages, reinforcing the area’s generally lower levels of disorderly conduct. Residents might find the 26.2% deficit to the UK average in overall crime rate reassuring, though the sharp rise in weapon possession warrants attention. Local authorities may need to investigate whether this increase is linked to specific events or patterns from the data alone.

The crime rate in Reigate and Banstead rose by 17.6% from 5.0 per 1,000 in April to 5.9 per 1,000 in May, marking a notable upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. Over the 31 days of May, this equated to an average of 30 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while modest, highlights the continuous nature of criminal activity in the area. On a monthly scale, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 170 residents—a statistic that, while not alarming, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. When compared to the UK average, Reigate and Banstead’s residents experience significantly lower risks in most crime categories. For instance, the area’s violent crime rate is 24% below the national average, and anti-social behaviour is 25% lower. However, the rise in possession of weapons—a category where the area is 43% above the UK average—presents a unique contrast. This anomaly may reflect localised factors, though further data would be required to confirm. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the absolute number of crimes is manageable, the relative stability of the area’s crime profile compared to the UK average suggests a generally safer environment. Residents may find comfort in knowing that, for every 1,000 people, they face fewer than six crimes annually, compared to the UK average of over eight.