Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Reigate and Banstead maintained a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.9% below the UK average of 7.1. This figures underscores a notable divergence in crime patterns compared to the national profile. Violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences (41.2% of total crimes), dominated the landscape, outpacing property crimes by a wide margin. This imbalance may partly explain the area’s relatively low overall rate, as violent crimes often draw more targeted policing and community intervention efforts. Seasonal factors likely contributed to this dynamic: December’s Christmas shopping peak, extended dark evenings, and holiday-related absences from homes could have influenced both the frequency and nature of incidents. Anti-social behaviour (11.7% of total crimes) and public order offences (9.6%) followed, reflecting the impact of festive gatherings and heightened social interactions in local areas. While property crimes such as shoplifting (8.4%) and vehicle crime (5.3%) remained below UK averages, their relatively low contribution to the total suggests a focus on addressing personal safety concerns. The area’s mix of suburban and rural characteristics, combined with its proximity to London, may explain the moderate levels of both violent and property crime, with the former likely driven by transient populations and local social dynamics.

December 2024 saw a 7.7% increase in violent crimes compared to November, with 351 incidents reported—still 14% below the UK average for this category. This rise contrasts with a 70% drop in bicycle theft, likely linked to seasonal factors such as reduced daylight hours and fewer cyclists during winter. Burglary rates also rose by 17.9%, potentially reflecting increased home occupancy during the festive season or targeted opportunistic activity. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by 60.9%, aligning with national trends of reduced illicit activity during holiday periods. The category of 'other crime' saw a sharp 26.7% increase, which may include unclassified incidents or shifts in reporting patterns. Violent crimes accounted for over 40% of all reported crimes, a stark contrast to property crimes (256 incidents, 30% of total). This imbalance suggests that local community engagement and policing strategies may be more effective in mitigating property-related issues, while violent crime remains a persistent challenge. For residents, the 14% gap in violent crime rates compared to the UK average offers a potential benchmark for local efforts to address underlying social or economic factors.

December’s crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 10.4% decrease from November’s 6.0, reflecting a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, 28 crimes were reported each day in December—a figure that, while consistent with historical patterns, remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the area’s relative safety compared to larger urban centres. This statistic, however, does not account for variations in population density or localised hotspots. The decline from November’s rate may be attributed to seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic during holiday closures or increased community vigilance. With a population of 159,134, the area’s crime statistics demonstrate that even a moderate rate can translate to significant numbers when scaled across the entire district. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the persistent dominance of violent crimes suggests that targeted interventions may be needed to address this specific category, even as property crime rates continue to fall.