Farnham Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 brought an unexpected surge in shoplifting to Farnham, a built-up area within Waverley, marking a 69.2% increase from June and pushing the category to 1.1 per 1,000 residents—62% above the UK average. This spike contrasts sharply with the area's overall crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000, which remains 27.4% below the UK's 8.4 per 1,000. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (33.9% of total), followed by shoplifting (17.3%) and anti-social behaviour (12.6%). The seasonal context of July—peak summer with festivals, school holidays, and increased tourism—likely contributed to these patterns, as retail areas and public spaces become focal points for both crime and community activity. While violent crime rates remained stable, the shoplifting increase may partly reflect heightened foot traffic during summer events, though the area's lower-than-average rates for property crimes (vehicle crime, criminal damage) suggest effective local policing or environmental factors. Farnham's crime profile, shaped by its status as a commuter town with a mix of historic and modern infrastructure, continues to show resilience against national trends, though targeted interventions may be needed for retail security.

July 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+69.2%) and other theft (+100.0%), with 22 and 14 incidents respectively. These spikes contrast with significant declines in bicycle theft (-66.7%) and vehicle crime (-57.1%), likely reflecting seasonal patterns as summer festivals and tourism draw crowds to retail hubs. Shoplifting, at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, is 62% above the UK average, suggesting local retail environments may be particularly vulnerable. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained relatively stable, with 43 incidents (33.9% of total) compared to the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour (12.6% of total) is 45% below the UK rate, possibly due to community policing efforts or the area's smaller population density. Residents may find the daily crime count (4 incidents per day) a useful benchmark for understanding local safety in relation to summer activity levels.

Farnham's crime rate in July 2024 rose 4.1% compared to June, moving from 5.9 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents. This slight increase contrasts with the area's overall trend of remaining below the UK average. Locally, 127 crimes were reported over 31 days, averaging roughly 4 crimes per day. This translates to one reported crime for every 163 residents over the course of the month—a figure that provides context for residents assessing their monthly risk. While the rate remains 27.4% below the UK average, the shift from June highlights the volatility of crime patterns in a built-up area with seasonal fluctuations. The population-scaled perspective shows that Farnham's crime profile, though lower than national levels, still reflects local dynamics influenced by tourism and summer events. This monthly exposure metric helps residents understand crime in relation to their community's size, offering a more tangible measure than raw totals.