Tadworth and Epsom Downs Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Tadworth and Epsom Downs recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, placing it 45.8% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This marked divergence from national trends underscores the area’s unique profile as a relatively low-crime built-up zone within Reigate and Banstead. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, accounted for 32.7% of all crimes, with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents—50% below the UK average. This anomaly may be attributed to the area’s character as a commuter-oriented suburb with limited nightlife and a strong emphasis on residential stability. The second most prevalent category, vehicle crime, stood at 0.5 per 1,000 residents, slightly above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, suggesting persistent challenges in securing parked vehicles in areas with high commuter traffic. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000 residents, was 46% below the UK average, a figure that aligns with the area’s quieter public spaces and reduced seasonal gatherings. The overall crime profile in December was shaped by seasonal factors, including the Christmas shopping peak, which may have driven shoplifting incidents to their lowest recorded level (0.0 per 1,000 residents), though a single case emerged in December, marking a 100% increase from the previous month. The interplay of these factors—seasonal activity, local demographics, and infrastructure—illustrates an area where crime remains significantly lower than the national average, with specific pockets of concern emerging during high-traffic periods.

December 2023 marked a stark contrast in crime trends, with shoplifting and theft from the person both rising by 100% compared to November, a shift that may reflect increased retail activity during the Christmas shopping season. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 58.1%, a decline that could be linked to reduced public events and holiday-related closures. Violence and sexual offences also saw a significant drop, decreasing by 34.6% from the previous month, a reduction that aligns with the seasonal lull in public spaces and the typical decrease in alcohol-fuelled incidents during winter. Vehicle crime remained slightly above the UK average, with a rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure that suggests ongoing challenges in securing parked vehicles in the area. For residents, the 100% increase in shoplifting incidents highlights a specific concern for retailers and local businesses, urging vigilance during peak shopping periods.

December 2023 saw a 27.9% decrease in the crime rate compared to November, falling from 5.4 to 3.9 per 1,000 residents. This shift reflects broader seasonal patterns, with the area’s crime rate aligning with the quieter pace of winter months. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of three crimes per day, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 259 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the sparse distribution of incidents across the population. When scaled to the area’s population of 26,925, this suggests that most residents are unlikely to encounter crime in any given month. The contrast with the previous month’s rate also aligns with the typical decline in crime during December, a period marked by fewer public gatherings and a shift in local activity patterns. This trend is consistent with other low-crime urban areas where seasonal factors like reduced foot traffic and extended holiday closures contribute to lower incident rates.