Tadworth and Epsom Downs Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Tadworth and Epsom Downs for August 2023 reveals a distinct pattern shaped by local characteristics. With a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 46.9% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (24.4%) and vehicle crime (8.7%). This distribution suggests a balance between personal safety concerns and community-level disruptions, consistent with a commuter suburb where residential density and local amenities intersect. The low rate of property crime—only 29 incidents compared to 47 violent crimes—contrasts with national trends, where property crime typically dominates. August, a peak holiday month, may have influenced patterns, though burglary rates remained low (2 incidents), potentially reflecting the area's mix of occupied homes and seasonal occupancy shifts. The relatively high proportion of violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average (2.6 per 1,000) suggests local factors such as nightlife activity or community dynamics may play a role, though seasonal factors like increased social interaction during holidays could also contribute. The area's crime profile highlights a focus on interpersonal crime rather than theft or property-related offences, which may reflect both demographic characteristics and the built environment's design.

August 2023 saw sharp increases in shoplifting and possession of weapons, with shoplifting tripling from 1 to 3 incidents (+200%) and weapon possession doubling from 1 to 2 (+100%). These spikes stand in contrast to significant declines in other categories, including burglary falling by 77.8% (from 9 to 2) and other theft dropping by 54.5% (from 11 to 5). The shift in crime mix is notable: while violent crimes (47 incidents) remained the largest category, their share of the total fell slightly compared to previous months, as property-related offences like anti-social behaviour (28 incidents) and vehicle crime (10 incidents) saw more stable figures. The area's performance against UK averages reveals striking disparities: violence and sexual offences in Tadworth and Epsom Downs were 32% below the national rate (2.6 per 1,000 vs UK 3.2 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour was 31% below the UK average. However, possession of weapons was an exception, with rates 43% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000 vs UK 0.07 per 1,000). For residents, the 77.8% drop in burglary may indicate the effectiveness of local security measures or seasonal factors, such as the likelihood of homes being occupied during August. The data also shows that shoplifting, though small in absolute terms, rose sharply, potentially reflecting increased retail activity or targeted opportunities in local stores.

The crime rate in August 2023 (4.3 per 1,000) marked a 4.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.5 per 1,000, indicating a slight but consistent decline in overall crime. Translating this into daily terms, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day in August—a figure that, while low, reflects the area's relatively safe environment compared to national averages. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 234 residents underscores the rarity of criminal incidents in this built-up area. This figure, though aggregate, provides a tangible sense of risk for residents: over the course of the month, the average resident would have had a 0.4% chance of being directly affected by a reported crime. The decline in burglary (from 9 to 2 incidents) and other theft (from 11 to 5) aligns with broader trends observed in commuter suburbs, where increased home occupancy during the summer months may act as a deterrent. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting and weapon possession highlights the need for targeted interventions in retail and public spaces. Comparing these figures to the UK context, the area's significantly lower rates of property crime and anti-social behaviour suggest a combination of effective policing, community engagement, and environmental design that reduces opportunities for certain types of crime. These comparative metrics offer residents a benchmark to assess local safety relative to national standards, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining the factors that contribute to this area's lower crime profile.