Tadworth and Epsom Downs Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Tadworth and Epsom Downs maintained a safer profile in January 2024, with a crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents—43.2% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This continued trend reflects the area’s character as a suburban community with limited commercial density compared to larger urban centres. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.0% of all crimes, a category where the local rate (1.5 per 1,000) was 42% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000). This may partly explain the relatively low levels of violent crime, consistent with the area’s lower population density and reduced nightlife activity compared to inner-city locations. Vehicle crime (17 incidents) remained a concern, with the local rate (0.6 per 1,000) 20% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), likely linked to the presence of commuter parking areas near major roads. Seasonal factors in January—such as post-holiday retail quietude and shorter daylight hours—may have reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes, though this effect was offset by a sharp rise in shoplifting later in the month. The area’s overall crime profile suggests a balance between proactive policing and the inherent safety of a low-density built-up area, with further analysis needed to assess long-term trends.

January 2024 saw a 400% surge in shoplifting, rising from one to five incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This increase may be linked to targeted retail thefts during post-holiday periods, though the overall retail footfall in the area remains lower than in high-street hubs. Burglary also rose by 57.1% (7 to 11 incidents), with the local rate (0.4 per 1,000) 11% above the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), suggesting potential vulnerabilities in residential security despite the area’s generally low crime profile. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell sharply by 66.7% (3 to 1), aligning with the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This decline may reflect seasonal shifts, with fewer opportunities for illicit activity during colder months. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 37.5% (8 to 5), though the local rate (0.5 per 1,000) remained 49% below the UK average (1.0 per 1,000), highlighting the area’s continued success in managing community disorder. The mix of crime types shifted slightly, with property crimes (50 incidents) now accounting for 44% of all reported crimes, compared to 42% in the previous month, indicating a marginal increase in property-related incidents relative to violent crime.

The crime rate in January 2024 (4.2 per 1,000) marked a 9.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.9 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. Locally, this translates to approximately four crimes reported per day—equivalent to one crime occurring for every 236 residents over the course of the month. While this daily figure may seem high, it is important to contextualise it within the area’s population of 26,925, where crime rates are historically lower than in densely populated urban centres. The monthly exposure of 1-in-236 residents is better than the UK average, which would likely be closer to 1-in-100 or 1-in-150 depending on the region. This suggests that residents of Tadworth and Epsom Downs face a substantially lower risk of being directly affected by crime compared to the national average. However, the 9.6% monthly increase highlights the need for vigilance, particularly in areas where shoplifting and burglary have risen. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the absolute number of crimes is manageable, targeted efforts to address specific increases—such as shoplifting—could further enhance local safety.