Godalming Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Godalming's crime profile in April 2025 reveals a marked contrast between property and violent crime, with property-related offences accounting for 37% of all incidents compared to 30% for violent crime. This balance may partly reflect the area's character as a low-density built-up zone within Waverley, where community cohesion and residential stability likely contribute to lower levels of interpersonal conflict. The overall crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents places Godalming 48.1% below the UK average of 7.7, a gap that is most pronounced in violent crime categories. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.2 per 1,000, are 54% below the UK average, suggesting strong local policing or community initiatives that reduce interpersonal violence. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category at 0.9 per 1,000, is also 32% below the UK average, potentially linked to effective neighbourhood engagement strategies. Seasonal factors in April, including Easter celebrations and increased outdoor activity, may influence crime patterns. However, the absence of sharp spikes in theft or burglary suggests that the area's security infrastructure—such as well-lit public spaces and active community watch schemes—may mitigate risks associated with seasonal transitions. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000) further indicate that commercial areas in Godalming are not major hubs for opportunistic theft, unlike larger urban centres. This combination of factors illustrates a relatively safe, stable environment where crime prevention efforts appear to be functioning effectively, though the slight increase in criminal damage and arson will require monitoring.

April 2025 saw a 133.3% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 3 to 7 incidents. This jump, while small in absolute terms, may signal seasonal factors such as Easter-related disturbances or increased outdoor activity during spring. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 88.9% (from 9 to 1), a decline that could be attributed to reduced foot traffic in car parks during the Easter break or improved security measures at local garages. Shoplifting also fell sharply by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), reflecting the end of the Easter shopping period or enhanced retail surveillance. The property-to-violent crime balance remains skewed, with property crime accounting for 37% of all incidents compared to 30% for violent crime. This divergence contrasts with the UK average, where violent crime typically outpaces property crime. Godalming's violence and sexual offences rate is 54% below the UK average, a gap that may reflect the area's lower density and fewer high-risk venues compared to major cities. The single incident of theft from the person in April, compared to the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000, highlights the rarity of such crimes in Godalming, though residents should remain vigilant during peak times in public spaces.

Godalming's crime rate rose slightly from 3.9 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents in April 2025, a 2.3% increase that remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that would translate to one reported crime for every 252 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate—1 in 252—places Godalming among the safest built-up areas in the UK, particularly when compared to larger urban centres where rates often exceed 1 in 100. The population context further underscores the area's low crime levels: with 11,597 residents, the 46 total crimes recorded in April represent just 0.4% of the population. This proportion is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees crime rates exceeding 1% in many regions. The slight upward trend from March may be attributable to seasonal factors, such as the Easter holiday period, which often sees increased foot traffic and outdoor activity. However, the absence of major spikes in property or violent crime suggests that local policing and community initiatives have effectively managed risks. The contrast with the UK average is most striking in violent crime categories, where Godalming's rate is 54% below the national figure. This disparity likely reflects the area's lower population density, fewer nightlife venues, and stronger community networks compared to larger cities.