Caterham Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 in Caterham presented an unexpected twist in crime trends, with burglary rates surging by 100% compared to October, challenging assumptions about seasonal crime patterns. The overall crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents — 29.3% below the UK average — highlights the area’s consistent performance in keeping crime low, despite the spike in property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.7% of all reported crimes, a figure that aligns with Caterham’s position as a mixed-use built-up area with a significant residential component. The seasonal context of November, marked by Bonfire Night and the early start of Black Friday shopping, may have influenced patterns: anti-social behaviour and public order offences both fell below UK averages, potentially due to heightened police presence during key events. However, the 100% increase in burglary raises questions about vulnerabilities in home security, especially during the darker evenings of the month. The area’s shoplifting rate, at 0.1 per 1,000 residents — 82% below the UK average — suggests strong retail security measures, reinforced by local business partnerships. This contrast between rising property crimes and falling violent offences may reflect broader changes in community dynamics, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such links. The overall crime rate’s proximity to the UK average for violent crimes (2.2 per 1,000, 15% below) indicates a balance between localised challenges and effective policing strategies. As November’s data illustrates, Caterham’s crime profile remains a mix of resilience and emerging risks, warranting close monitoring in the coming months.

The most striking shift in November 2023 was the 100% increase in burglary, rising from 2 to 4 incidents. This surge, though still 41% below the UK average, contrasts with the 83.3% rise in other theft, which now stands at 11 cases — 19% below the national rate. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 50%, dropping from 2 to 1, a decrease that may reflect heightened public awareness during Black Friday shopping. The crime mix also shows a notable shift: violent crimes (50 cases, 41.7% of total) remain the dominant category, but property crimes have grown in relative share compared to October. Anti-social behaviour (21 cases) and public order offences (10 cases) both fell below UK averages by 14% and 6% respectively, suggesting effective local interventions in managing community tensions. Residents may find the 82% gap between Caterham’s shoplifting rate and the UK average particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a strong local deterrent to retail crime.

Caterham’s November 2023 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 20.1% decrease from the previous month’s 6.7 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend in reported crime. Daily crime activity averaged 4 incidents per day across the 30-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity in a built-up area. When scaled to the population of 22,470, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 187 residents — a ratio that underscores the relative safety of the area compared to broader UK trends. This localised measure, however, does not account for unreported incidents or variations in police recording practices. The contrast with the UK average is stark: Caterham’s overall rate remains 29.3% below the national figure, a gap that has likely been reinforced by community-focused policing efforts and the area’s lower population density compared to major urban centres. The month-on-month decline may also align with seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and reduced foot traffic in retail zones during November.