South Merstham Crime Rate

South Merstham is a stable urban settlement with a safety score of 79/100, which is exactly in line with the UK average. The area's overall crime rate is 94.6 per 1,000 people, slightly higher than the national average of 91.6. Data from January 2025 to December 2025 shows that crime is stable, with a 4.2% year-over-year change. While South Merstham experiences more activity than some of its more rural neighbours in Reigate and Banstead, it remains a well-established residential community for its 10,186 residents. The crime profile is characterized by a mix of typical urban challenges, including anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, but the overall trend remains consistent, providing a predictable environment for those living in the area.

South Merstham's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 32.0% of all reported incidents (309 cases). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 21.8% and criminal damage and arson at 9.0%. The high percentage of anti-social behaviour is a significant factor in the local crime environment, often affecting the perceived quality of life for residents.

Property crime in South Merstham is a notable concern, with a combined rate of 29.0 per 1,000 residents. This includes vehicle crime (7.9%), shoplifting (5.4%), other theft (4.6%), and burglary (2.4%). Vehicle crime is particularly prominent, with 76 incidents recorded, accounting for nearly 8% of total crime. For homeowners, the 29.0 per 1,000 property crime rate indicates that opportunistic theft and damage are frequent risks. The 8.5 per 1,000 rate for criminal damage and arson further highlights the importance of securing external property and vehicles. While the overall property crime rate is slightly below the UK average of 32.2, it is higher than many neighbouring areas, making robust home and vehicle security a priority for South Merstham residents.

South Merstham's crime trend is currently stable, showing a 4.2% increase year-over-year. This indicates a consistent safety environment for the area's residents. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated throughout the year, with some notable seasonal peaks.

The year started with lower rates in January (5.8) and February (6.9), before rising through the spring. May saw a significant peak of 11.1, which then settled before another smaller peak in September (9.7). The year ended with a decline to 5.4 in December. This seasonal variation, with higher rates in late spring and early autumn, is a common pattern. While the overall trend is stable, these fluctuations suggest that community vigilance is particularly important during the busier months. For residents, the stable trend provides a high degree of predictability in the local security environment.

How To Keep Safe in South Merstham

The most common crime in South Merstham is violence and sexual offences, which often occur in public spaces. To maintain your personal safety and protect your property in South Merstham, consider these practical steps.

1. When walking through the area late at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid quieter, less-travelled paths where possible.
2. Given that vehicle crime accounts for a high 54% of night-time incidents, ensure your car is parked in a secure garage or a well-lit driveway, and never leave any valuables inside.
3. Be aware of your surroundings in local public spaces; anti-social behaviour accounts for nearly 22% of total crime, and staying alert can help you avoid potentially difficult situations.
4. If you live in a residential area, join a local neighbourhood watch scheme to stay informed about any suspicious activity and to help build a stronger community safety network.
5. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit and that any gates or fences are secure, as criminal damage and arson are notable contributors to the local crime rate.

Crime in South Merstham follows a distinct urban cycle. The morning and afternoon hours are heavily weighted towards theft-related offences (32% and 39% respectively), which coincide with typical daytime activity and footfall in the area. This suggests that much of the daytime crime is opportunistic and retail or street-focused.

As evening falls, the crime profile shifts significantly. While theft decreases, other types of crime become more prominent. Night-time (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for a substantial 54% of reports during these hours. Burglary risk is also present, peaking at 14% in the afternoon. These patterns highlight that while the area is active during the day, the primary risk to private property—especially vehicles—occurs under the cover of darkness when the streets are quieter and properties are more vulnerable. This night-time spike in vehicle crime is a key characteristic of the local safety environment.

In the local context, South Merstham has a more active crime profile than some of its immediate neighbours. Its crime rate of 94.6 per 1,000 is higher than Redhill (85.9) and significantly higher than very small rural areas like Gatton or Brewer Street, which report 0.0 crimes. While it is more active than some nearby villages, South Merstham's safety score still matches the UK average, making it a typical suburban settlement for the region. For residents, it offers a balance of residential stability and local activity, though it is one of the more active pockets in the Reigate and Banstead district.

South Merstham's property crime rate of 29.0 per 1,000 indicates that opportunistic theft—especially vehicle crime and criminal damage—is a significant reality for residents. For many in this area, traditional security measures like basic CCTV or standard alarm systems are common. However, these systems are fundamentally reactive; they record a crime as it happens or alert you after an intruder has already entered. In an area like South Merstham, where vehicle crime is particularly high (7.9% of total crime), reactive recording is often too late to prevent loss.

A proactive AI security system like scOS offers a superior alternative. By monitoring the perimeter of your property using intelligent AI, scOS can detect a threat before a break-in or vehicle theft occurs. It can differentiate between a regular passerby and someone suspiciously loitering near your car or checking your property's boundaries. When a threat is identified, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents—such as lights or audio warnings—to stop the intruder in their tracks. For South Merstham residents, this shift from recording to prevention is the most effective way to safeguard their homes and vehicles, ensuring that their property remains a hard target for opportunistic crime.