Oxted Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 12,699 residents, 66 crimes in November 2024 equate to one reported incident for every 195 people—a rate of 5.2 per 1,000. This places Oxted 31.6% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, a gap consistent with the area's character as a commuter town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. The most common crimes were criminal damage and arson (21.2% of total), violence and sexual offences (19.7%), and anti-social behaviour (16.7%). These figures align with seasonal patterns: Bonfire Night events in late November likely contributed to the sharp rise in public order offences, while Black Friday shopping may have influenced shoplifting trends, though this category remained 57% below the UK average. The lower-than-expected rate of violent crime—61% below the UK average—suggests that community policing efforts in local retail areas may be effective. The data also highlights a stark contrast between Oxted's anti-social behaviour rate (19% below UK average) and its criminal damage rate (93% above UK average), a disparity that could reflect the area's proximity to both urban centres and rural landscapes. With November's shorter daylight hours, the increase in property crimes may be linked to greater opportunities for unobserved activity, though this is not definitively supported by the data.

November 2024 saw a 300% increase in public order offences, rising from 2 to 8 incidents—a jump likely tied to Bonfire Night celebrations in late November. Vehicle crime also doubled, from 2 to 6 reports, potentially influenced by seasonal travel patterns or increased vehicle idling in colder weather. Criminal damage and arson surged by 100%, with 14 incidents reported compared to 7 in October, a spike that may be connected to vandalism during festive events or disputes over property. Conversely, burglary fell by two-thirds, from 3 to 1 incident, and other theft dropped by 37.5%, due to heightened police presence or community awareness campaigns. Oxted's rate of violence and sexual offences (1.0 per 1,000) is 61% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a gap that could reflect the town's relatively low population density and strong local community networks. However, the area's criminal damage rate is 93% above the UK average, a figure that may be exacerbated by the presence of vacant properties in certain parts of Tandridge. For residents, the 300% rise in public order offences is a concrete concern, with eight incidents reported in November alone—a figure that could influence local safety planning.

Oxted's crime rate in November 2024 (5.2 per 1,000) marked an 8.3% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.8 per 1,000, a shift that may be attributed to seasonal factors such as shorter daylight hours and increased social activity around Bonfire Night. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in November—a figure that, while low, underscores the impact of concentrated incidents during specific periods. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 192 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average (which is not provided here). This statistic suggests that Oxted's residents face a significantly lower risk of being affected by crime compared to the national average, though this is tempered by the sharp rise in public order offences. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Oxted's crime profile is shaped by its unique demographic makeup: as a commuter town with a mix of urban and rural characteristics, it balances lower violent crime rates with higher property-related incidents. This duality may reflect the challenges of managing both densely populated areas and more isolated communities within the same local authority, a dynamic that requires tailored policing strategies.