Godalming Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Godalming's crime profile in December 2024 demonstrates a stark contrast to the UK average, with a rate of 3.3 crimes per 1,000 residents—53.5% below the national figure of 7.1. This disparity reflects the area's character as a relatively low-density built-up zone within Waverley, where community policing and a mix of residential and commercial land use may contribute to lower overall crime. The most prevalent crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 26.3% of all reported incidents (10 cases), followed by shoplifting (21.1%, 8 cases) and drug-related offences (13.2%, 5 cases). These figures align with seasonal factors, as December's Christmas shopping peak, extended party hours, and darker evenings likely amplified both retail-focused and social crimes. The sharp decline in violent crime—down 84% from the UK average—suggests that Godalming's urban fabric, which includes limited nightlife venues and a strong presence of family-oriented housing, may reduce opportunities for serious violence. However, the 23% above-average rate for shoplifting highlights vulnerabilities in local retail environments, exacerbated by the high concentration of small businesses that may lack robust security measures. This data illustrates an area where community-focused crime prevention efforts appear to be effective, though targeted interventions may be needed to address retail security gaps.

December 2024 witnessed sharp shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 100% (from 5 to 10 incidents) and public order offences rising 150% (from 2 to 5). These increases align with the holiday season's social dynamics, where festive gatherings and extended evening hours may have amplified disruptive behaviour. Conversely, violent crime fell dramatically, with violence and sexual offences dropping 72.2% (from 18 to 5) — a decline consistent with reduced outdoor activity during colder months and the closure of certain venues over Christmas. Shoplifting remained a persistent concern, with a rate 23% above the UK average (0.7 vs 0.6 per 1,000). This anomaly may reflect the area's retail density, as Godalming's high street hosts several independent stores that could be vulnerable to opportunistic theft during peak shopping periods. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes were 67% above the national average, a figure that warrants further contextual analysis given the absence of broader regional trends.

Godalming's crime rate in December 2024 stood at 3.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 29.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.7 per 1,000. This decline positions the area as one of the UK's safer built-up regions, with its overall rate 53.5% below the national average. Daily crime statistics reveal a steady pace, with one reported crime occurring roughly every day in December—a figure that underscores the area's low-level crime profile. Over the course of the month, 1 in 305 residents experienced a reported crime, a ratio that highlights the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the local population of 11,597, this translates to a manageable monthly burden, with most residents unlikely to encounter crime directly. The shift from November to December reflects seasonal patterns, as holiday-related activity and reduced foot traffic in some areas may have contributed to the downward trend.