Godalming Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Godalming’s September 2024 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents places it 39% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a significant gap that reflects the area’s distinct characteristics as a built-up part of Waverley. The crime mix in the month was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 48.2% of all incidents, with violence and sexual offences alone making up 2.2 per 1,000 residents. This rate, though lower than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 for the same category, highlights the disproportionate impact of violent crime in Godalming compared to the national picture. Property-related crimes, while less frequent, showed a stark contrast in their UK comparison: vehicle crime was 11% above the national average, while anti-social behaviour was 57% below. Seasonal factors may partly explain these patterns, as September marks the start of the academic year in local schools and universities, a period that could influence both the frequency of violent incidents and the visibility of property crimes. The overall crime profile suggests a combination of local demographics, such as the presence of educational institutions, and broader national trends, with Godalming’s relatively low rate indicating a community that, despite its proximity to larger urban centres, maintains a lower level of criminal activity. This is consistent with the area’s character as a suburbanised part of Waverley, where infrastructure and community engagement may contribute to the observed crime statistics.

September 2024 saw a dramatic 500% increase in vehicle crime, rising from one to six incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain the shift in crime mix, with property-related offences (vehicle crime, burglary) accounting for 18.5% of total crimes compared to 48.2% for violent crimes. Violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences, remained the most significant category, but their rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 16% below the UK average, a contrast to the 11% above average for vehicle crime. Anti-social behaviour incidents dropped by 40% compared to the previous month, aligning with the seasonal context of September, when back-to-school routines may reduce public gatherings in certain areas. For residents, the 40% reduction in shoplifting (from five to three incidents) offers a concrete example of how targeted local factors—such as retail security measures—can influence crime trends in a specific month.

Godalming’s crime rate in September 2024 (4.7 per 1,000 residents) marks an 8.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.1 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the local context of a built-up area within Waverley, where seasonal shifts often influence crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly two crimes per day in September, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a community of 11,597 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 215 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. This statistic, while specific to Godalming, offers a tangible sense of the scale of crime relative to the population, highlighting that the majority of residents are not directly affected by criminal activity on a daily basis. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Godalming’s crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, with its lower rate reflecting a combination of local characteristics and seasonal dynamics.