The question of how safe Ashford (Spelthorne) is at night is a valid concern for residents. Based on available data, Ashford, classified as a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Spelthorne, demonstrates a generally favourable safety profile, but with caveats.
Overall, Ashford has a crime rate of 78.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a lower likelihood of experiencing crime compared to the national picture. The area’s safety score is 82/100, which is also above the UK average of 79, reinforcing this positive comparison.
However, a deeper look reveals a more nuanced picture. The violent crime rate in Ashford stands at 29.4 per 1,000 residents. While this figure isn't excessively high, it's crucial to consider it within the broader context of safety perceptions. The most concerning aspect is the night safety score, which registers at a low 7/100. This score specifically assesses residents' feelings of safety after dark, and a score of 7 suggests a significant proportion of residents do not feel safe at night. This discrepancy between the overall safety score and the night safety score warrants further investigation and suggests that specific areas or circumstances contribute to this feeling of unease.
It’s important to understand that safety scores are subjective and influenced by personal experiences and perceptions. While the statistical data provides a valuable overview, it doesn't fully capture the complexities of individual experiences. Factors such as lighting, visibility, and the presence of security measures can all impact feelings of safety at night. The population of Ashford (Spelthorne) is 24,339, and while a larger population can sometimes correlate with higher crime rates, in this instance, the lower overall crime rate suggests other factors are at play.
Ultimately, while Ashford (Spelthorne) presents a comparatively safer environment than the UK average in terms of overall crime statistics, the low night safety score indicates a need for continued efforts to improve residents’ feelings of security after dark.