Ashford Common Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ashford Common's crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 in October 2024 places it 29.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, marking it as one of the safer built-up areas in the country. This figure reflects a consistent pattern observed in Spelthorne, where localised factors such as community engagement and infrastructure contribute to lower crime rates. The most common crimes reported were violence and sexual offences (10 incidents, 20% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (10 incidents, 20% of total), and other theft (7 incidents, 14% of total). These figures are particularly notable when compared to the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which stood at 2.7 per 1,000, with Ashford Common's rate 59% below that benchmark. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the end of the university term, and Halloween—may have influenced the distribution of crimes, with anti-social behaviour and violence often spiking during periods of reduced visibility and increased social activity. However, the overall crime profile remains stable, with no significant spikes in property crime or violent incidents relative to other months in the year. This suggests that while local conditions and seasonal rhythms may shape specific crime types, the area's broader crime picture is resilient to short-term fluctuations.

October 2024 saw a dramatic 133.3% increase in burglary incidents, rising from 3 to 7 cases—a sharp departure from the area's typically low burglary rate. This jump, which places burglary at 0.8 per 1,000 (142% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000), contrasts with the 56.5% decline in violence and sexual offences, which dropped from 23 to 10 cases. The latter decrease is particularly significant, as it brings the rate of such crimes in Ashford Common to 1.1 per 1,000—59% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Other notable trends include the emergence of shoplifting (3 incidents, up from zero) and possession of weapons (1 incident, up from zero), both of which may be linked to Halloween-related activity. Anti-social behaviour, while remaining a persistent issue (10 incidents, 20% of total), stayed 15% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000. Meanwhile, vehicle crime (5 incidents, 0.6 per 1,000) and other theft (7 incidents, 0.8 per 1,000) both exceeded UK averages, though by smaller margins (28% and 43% above, respectively). These shifts in crime mix suggest a combination of local demographics and seasonal events, with property crime and public disorder requiring targeted attention from local authorities.

Ashford Common's crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 in October 2024 represents a 5.6% decrease from September's rate of 6.0 per 1,000, reflecting a gradual downward trend over the past year. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day across 31 days, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 176 residents. This is well below the UK average for similar-sized built-up areas, underscoring the area's relative safety. When compared to the national picture, Ashford Common's performance in key categories is striking: violence and sexual offences are 59% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 15% below, suggesting strong community cohesion and policing effectiveness. However, the area's burglary rate (0.8 per 1,000) is 142% above the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), highlighting a specific vulnerability that warrants closer examination. This discrepancy may be attributed to the area's mix of residential and commercial properties, which could present more opportunities for burglary than the national average. For residents, the daily crime figure of 2 per day provides a concrete benchmark for understanding local safety levels, while the population-scaled perspective of 1-in-176 residents illustrates the rarity of crime in this community.