Caterham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Caterham during February 2024 reveals a distinct pattern that aligns with the area’s likely suburban and semi-rural character. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of all recorded crimes, a significant share that exceeds the UK average for this category by 16%. This suggests that interpersonal conflicts or domestic issues may play a role in the local crime profile, though seasonal factors—such as the winter lull in outdoor activity—may have contributed to the relatively low overall rate. The prominence of violence and sexual offences, compared to property crimes, contrasts with the national trend, where property crimes often dominate in urban areas. This discrepancy may be attributed to Caterham’s lower population density and the absence of high-traffic commercial zones that typically drive shoplifting or vehicle crime. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—122% above the UK average—raises questions about underlying motivations, such as vandalism linked to community tensions or environmental factors. The winter season likely influenced some patterns, with vehicle crime declining by 50% as outdoor activity waned, but the surge in anti-social behaviour and public order offences suggests that social interactions in local spaces may have intensified. These dynamics paint a nuanced picture of a community where personal conflicts and property-related crimes coexist, albeit at a scale that remains below national averages. The UK average crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents serves as a useful benchmark, highlighting Caterham’s continued position as a safer area relative to the broader UK context.

February 2024 saw a sharp 116.7% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 12 to 26 incidents. This category was 122% above the UK average, highlighting a stark deviation from national trends. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 50%, from 12 to 6, possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity during the winter months. Theft from the person and robbery both doubled, with three and two incidents respectively—though robbery remained 11% above the UK average. The balance between violent and property crimes shifted slightly, with violence and sexual offences (33.3% of total crimes) still dominating, but criminal damage and arson emerging as a major concern. Anti-social behaviour remained 14% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect the area’s community-focused policing efforts or lower population density compared to more densely populated regions. These changes suggest a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with some categories showing marked volatility while others remain stable.

Caterham’s crime rate in February 2024 rose slightly to 6.4 per 1,000 residents, up 4.4% from the previous month’s 6.1 per 1,000. This places the area 9.9% below the UK average, a consistent trend over recent months. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 5 crimes per day, reflecting a relatively low frequency compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 156 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents in a way that is meaningful for local residents. While the increase from January is modest, the rate remains well below the UK average, suggesting that Caterham’s broader environment—likely a mix of suburban and semi-rural characteristics—continues to support lower crime levels. This monthly exposure figure, when compared to the previous month’s rate, indicates that the local crime profile remains stable, with no major spikes or dips that would require additional scrutiny. The population of 22,470 residents further underscores that even with the rise in certain categories, the absolute number of incidents remains manageable within the area’s demographic context.