Godalming Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of around 11,600 residents, Godalming recorded 64 crimes in September 2023, equating to a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 people. This figure is 31.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, contributing 34.4% of all reported incidents (22 cases), followed closely by public order (14.1%) and anti-social behaviour (14.1%). These patterns align with seasonal dynamics: September typically marks the start of the academic year, with university freshers arriving and schoolchildren returning to classes, which may increase social interactions in public spaces. The relatively low rate of property crimes—only 22 out of 64 total—suggests strong community engagement in crime prevention, though the absence of a dedicated police initiative or neighbourhood watch programme is not explicitly documented. The town’s character as a commuter-oriented suburb with a mix of residential and retail areas may contribute to this balance, as retail-focused crime types like shoplifting (6.3% of total) remain below UK averages. However, the slight rise in public order offences—now 29% above the UK average—raises questions about how local events or increased foot traffic during the transition from summer to autumn might be influencing behaviour. Overall, the data illustrates a town where proactive community efforts appear to mitigate typical urban crime pressures, though targeted interventions may still be needed to address specific emerging trends.

September 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting increasing by 100% (from 2 to 4 incidents) and public order offences rising by 80% (from 5 to 9). This spike in public order crimes—now 29% above the UK average—may be linked to the influx of university students and the start of the school term, which often brings heightened social activity in public spaces. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences rose by 37.5% (from 16 to 22), though they remain 31% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may be tempering broader national trends. Conversely, several categories saw declines: other crime fell by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), criminal damage and arson dropped by 66.7% (from 9 to 3), and burglary decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2). These reductions could reflect seasonal changes, with warmer weather in early September reducing indoor-related offences. The town’s relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000)—both below UK averages—may indicate effective local policing or community engagement in retail areas. Residents might find the 31.2% gap between Godalming’s crime rate and the UK average particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the area’s performance against national benchmarks.

Godalming’s crime rate in September 2023 (5.5 per 1,000) remained stable compared to the previous month’s rate of 5.4 per 1,000, indicating little month-on-month fluctuation. Over the 30 days of September, this translated to roughly 2 crimes per day—a pace that, while non-zero, is manageable for a community of 11,600 residents. On a monthly scale, one reported crime occurred for every 181 residents, a figure that contextualises the risk as relatively low compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the UK’s population, Godalming’s overall crime rate is 31.2% below the national average, underscoring its position as a safer-than-average area. This contrast becomes even more pronounced when examining specific categories: for instance, anti-social behaviour in Godalming is 40% below the UK average, which may reflect a combination of effective local policing and community cohesion. However, the 29% increase in public order offences compared to the UK average highlights a potential vulnerability, particularly during the busy transition between summer and autumn. For residents, this data suggests that while Godalming generally maintains a low crime profile, targeted efforts to address public order issues—such as those arising from student gatherings or late-night events—could further enhance safety without compromising the town’s broader success in crime prevention.