Surrey Heath Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Surrey Heath’s November 2023 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 25.3% deficit compared to the UK average, a consistent trend that reflects the area’s generally low crime profile. The most striking outlier in the breakdown was 'Other crime,' which was 54% above the UK average. This category, which may include unclassified or underreported incidents, highlights a potential gap in data transparency. The top three crime types—violence and sexual offences (34.1% of total), anti-social behaviour (16.6%), and other theft (9.0%)—suggest a focus on interpersonal and property-related issues. The seasonal context of November, with its dark evenings and Bonfire Night, may have contributed to the 179 recorded violent crimes, though this is tempered by the UK-wide decline in violence. The area’s low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000, 41% below the UK average) contrasts with the surge in shoplifting, which may be driven by Black Friday promotions. These patterns align with Surrey Heath’s character as a largely suburban area with a mix of retail hubs and residential zones, where retail theft and anti-social behaviour are more prevalent than in rural or industrial regions. The relatively low vehicle crime rate (40% below the UK average) further suggests that the area’s infrastructure and parking arrangements may deter such offences. Overall, the data illustrates a community that, while not immune to crime, maintains a safer profile than the national average, with targeted interventions likely to address the outliers in 'Other crime' and shoplifting.

November 2023 saw a sharp 57.1% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 28 to 44 incidents. This spike, though modest in absolute terms, may partly reflect the timing of Bonfire Night, which falls in late November and could have spurred pyrotechnic-related incidents. Conversely, robbery plummeted by 80% (from 5 to 1), a drop that aligns with the seasonal slowdown in nightlife activity and the absence of major events that might attract opportunistic offenders. Among property crimes, shoplifting surged 40.6% (32 to 45), linked to Black Friday shopping activity, which often drives retail theft. Meanwhile, 'Other crime'—a category encompassing everything from public order to unclassified offences—was 54% above the UK average. This outlier suggests a need for closer scrutiny of underreported or misclassified incidents. For residents, the 57.1% rise in criminal damage and arson may signal a need for heightened vigilance in public spaces during the festive season.

Surrey Heath’s crime rate in November 2023 (5.6 per 1,000 residents) edged up 4.1% from the previous month’s 5.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight seasonal uptick. This translates to roughly 18 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while steady, remains 25.3% below the UK average. Over the course of November, one crime occurred for every 180 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s generally low crime profile compared to national trends. The population context is key here: with 94,492 residents, the absolute number of crimes (525) is manageable. increase suggests localized factors may be influencing patterns. The rise in property crimes—particularly burglary (+50%) and shoplifting (+40.6%)—contrasts with the UK-wide trend of declining vehicle crime, highlighting regional differences in criminal activity. This comparison reveals that while Surrey Heath remains a safer area than the UK average, the month’s dynamics reflect a nuanced interplay between seasonal pressures and local vulnerabilities.