Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

March 2024 marked a continuation of Reigate and Banstead’s consistently lower crime profile compared to the UK average, with a recorded rate of 5.3 crimes per 1,000 residents — 31.2% below the national average of 7.7. This figure, the lowest in the area’s recorded history, reflects a combination of effective policing and the district’s character as a mix of suburban and rural environments, where community engagement and lower population density may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 41.1% of total incidents, a category where the local rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 18% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 13.3%, also significantly below the national benchmark. The seasonal transition to spring may have influenced patterns, as longer evenings and the end of winter holidays could contribute to increased social interactions in public spaces, driving some incidents. Property crimes remained relatively low compared to violent crimes, with shoplifting and burglary rates well below UK averages, consistent with the area’s retail and residential dynamics. The data illustrates a stable, if not improving, crime picture, though local authorities must remain vigilant to emerging trends.

March 2024 saw significant increases in specific crime categories, with theft from the person rising by 100% compared to February, marking a sharp upward trend in personal crime. This jump, from three to six reported incidents, may reflect heightened awareness or changes in local patterns during the spring transition. Concurrently, drug-related offences increased by 45%, moving from 20 to 29 incidents — a rise that could be linked to seasonal factors such as increased social activity or the timing of local events. Other crime also saw a 28.6% increase, suggesting a broader shift in criminal activity. In contrast, bicycle theft dropped by two-thirds (66.7%) to just one incident, due to improved security measures or seasonal changes in cycling activity. Burglary fell by 42.5% (from 40 to 23), aligning with the area’s generally low property crime rates. While violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, their local rate was 18% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour was 40% below. However, public order offences were 11% above the UK average, a category that may be influenced by the area’s mix of urban and rural spaces and the impact of longer evenings in March.

The crime rate in March 2024 remained stable at 5.3 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month’s figure and underscoring the area’s consistent performance relative to national benchmarks. On a daily basis, 27 crimes were reported across the 31 days, a figure that, while providing a snapshot of local activity, must be contextualised within Reigate and Banstead’s population of 159,134. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 188 residents — a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, which is not provided here. This statistic highlights the relative safety of the district, though it is essential to interpret it as a monthly aggregate rather than a daily frequency. The population context further illustrates that the local crime burden is distributed across a larger number of residents compared to the UK average, a factor that may reflect the area’s suburban and rural makeup, where crime is often more dispersed. Residents should note that while the overall rate is low, targeted increases in specific categories like theft from the person and drugs warrant attention, particularly as the area moves into warmer months.