Rural Reigate and Banstead Crime Rate

Rural Reigate and Banstead presents a unique statistical profile with an overall crime rate of 130.0 per 1,000 people. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 91.7, the area maintains a safety score of 66/100, which is better than the national baseline. This suggests that while crime volume is higher, the risks may be concentrated in specific categories or locations. The area has seen a 9.0% increase in crime year-over-year, indicating a rising trend that warrants attention. Interestingly, property crime in this rural sector is 29.8 per 1,000, which is actually lower than the UK average, suggesting that the high overall rate is primarily driven by non-property offences such as violence and public order.

Crime Type Analysis in Rural Reigate and Banstead

The crime profile for Rural Reigate and Banstead is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which constitute 51.8% of all recorded incidents. With a rate of 67.3 per 1,000 residents, this is the primary safety concern for the area. This is followed by criminal damage and arson (10.3%) and public order offences (9.6%). These figures suggest that a significant portion of local crime is behavioural or interpersonal in nature.

When looking at property crime—which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—the rate is 29.8 per 1,000 people. While this is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3, it still represents a tangible risk. Vehicle crime is the most prominent property-related issue at 5.9 per 1,000, while burglary is notably low at just 1.2 per 1,000. For residents, this means that while their homes are statistically less likely to be broken into compared to national averages, their vehicles and external property are more frequent targets for damage or theft. The high percentage of criminal damage (10.3%) further underlines the need for robust exterior security.

Crime Trends in Rural Reigate and Banstead

The crime data for the period between December 2024 and November 2025 shows a concerning upward trajectory for Rural Reigate and Banstead, with total crime increasing by 9.0% year-over-year. This rise suggests that the area is facing growing challenges, particularly in the categories of violence and criminal damage.

Monthly analysis shows that crime rates fluctuated significantly throughout the year. The safest period was in May 2025, when the rate dropped to 7.6 per 1,000. However, this was followed by several months of high activity, with peaks of 13.4 per 1,000 in June and August, and a year-high of 13.7 in October. The fact that the rate remained at or above 11.2 for most of the autumn suggests a sustained increase in reported incidents. For residents, these patterns indicate that the late summer and autumn months require heightened awareness and potentially reinforced security measures to counter the rising trend.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Reigate and Banstead

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Rural Reigate and Banstead, making up over 51% of the total. In a rural context, personal safety often involves being prepared for isolated environments. When out walking or exercising, particularly in more secluded rural paths, it is advisable to carry a fully charged mobile phone and inform someone of your intended route and expected return time.

Given the high rate of criminal damage (13.4 per 1,000), ensure that your property is well-protected with physical barriers such as sturdy fencing and gates. Motion-activated security lighting is a highly effective deterrent for both criminal damage and vehicle crime, the latter of which peaks significantly during the night. Since vehicle crime accounts for 43% of night-time incidents, always park in a secure garage if available, or use a well-lit driveway with visible security measures. Finally, due to the rural nature of the area, staying connected with neighbours through digital community groups can help provide early warnings about suspicious activity or recurring issues in the locality.

Crime timing in Rural Reigate and Banstead shows a clear evolution throughout the day. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is a major component, representing 37% and 46% of crimes respectively. This suggests opportunistic activity during daylight hours. However, the most striking pattern occurs at night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime surges to become 43% of all reported incidents. This is a critical window for vehicle owners to ensure maximum security. The evening hours (6pm - 12am) are dominated by 'Other' crimes, which includes violence and public order, making up 63% of the period's reports. This indicates that while property theft is a daytime and late-night issue, behavioural and interpersonal crimes are most prevalent during the evening. Burglary remains consistently low across all time periods, peaking slightly at 4% during the afternoon and night.

Rural Reigate and Banstead exists as a distinct contrast to the more urbanised parts of the local authority. Its crime rate of 130.0 per 1,000 is significantly higher than that of Lower Kingswood (58.1) and the town of Reigate (58.4). This disparity is often seen in rural designations where a lower population density can make per-capita figures appear much higher when even a small number of incidents occur. Compared to the UK average of 91.7, this rural area appears more active, yet its property crime rate remains lower than the national average. For those considering the region, it offers a different safety profile—one where residential burglary is exceptionally rare, but vehicle crime and interpersonal offences are more statistically prominent than in the neighbouring suburban villages.

In Rural Reigate and Banstead, the property crime rate of 29.8 per 1,000 is bolstered by a high incidence of criminal damage (13.4 per 1,000). For rural homeowners, the challenge is often the physical distance between the property and neighbours or emergency services. Traditional security systems that simply record footage are often insufficient because they only document the damage after it has occurred.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS is ideally suited for this environment. By monitoring property boundaries in real-time, scOS can detect unauthorised vehicles or individuals before they reach the home or outbuildings. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious cars, while autonomous responses like engaging perimeter lighting or audio deterrents can stop a crime in its tracks. For residents in this area, the goal should be to move from reactive recording to proactive prevention, ensuring that the high rates of criminal damage and vehicle crime are mitigated by stopping threats at the property line.