Godalming Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile for Godalming in January 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by the area’s characteristics as a built-up town within Waverley. With a total crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—45.6% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a markedly lower incidence of crime compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, contributing 30.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 23.3% and criminal damage and arson at 9.3%. This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal conflicts and disorderly conduct, which may reflect the community’s social dynamics and local infrastructure. The seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, likely contributes to lower outdoor crime rates but may amplify indoor disputes or anti-social behaviour. Property crimes such as shoplifting and other theft account for 27.9% of all incidents, consistent with the presence of retail spaces and the potential for opportunistic theft during quieter periods. While the overall rate remains low, the concentration of violent crimes—particularly violence and sexual offences—highlights areas for targeted policing or community engagement. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.5 per 1,000, meaning Godalming’s rate is 56% below that benchmark, suggesting effective local strategies in addressing violent crime. However, the relatively higher share of anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average (which reports 0.9 per 1,000) may indicate challenges in managing public conduct or community cohesion. This mix of crime types illustrates a town where community-focused initiatives could complement broader law enforcement efforts to maintain the current low crime trajectory.

January 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with criminal damage and arson doubling from zero to four incidents—a 100% increase—potentially linked to seasonal maintenance or unseasonal weather events. Similarly, shoplifting and other theft both rose by 100% compared to December, reflecting either targeted retail crime or changes in policing visibility during the post-holiday period. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, from two to one incident, possibly due to reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. Violence and sexual offences also declined by 31.6% (from 19 to 13), a significant drop that may align with the post-holiday lull in social interactions or the effectiveness of recent interventions. While Godalming’s overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, the local profile for drugs offences is 7% above the national figure (0.3 vs 0.3 per 1,000), suggesting a minor divergence in substance-related crime trends. most striking is the 186% increase in possession of weapons offences compared to the UK average (0.1 vs 0.2 per 1,000), indicating a rare but notable local spike in this category. These variations highlight the need for nuanced strategies to address specific risks, such as enhanced anti-social behaviour management and targeted support for drug-related issues, while leveraging the area’s success in reducing violent crime.

Godalming’s crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 in January 2026 marks a 4.4% decrease from December’s 3.9, reflecting a slight but consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period—a figure that, while low, underscores the regularity of incidents in a community of 11,597 residents. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 270 residents over the course of the month, illustrating the manageable scale of crime relative to local demographics. Comparing this to the previous month, the decline in violence and sexual offences (down 31.6%) aligns with the post-holiday period’s typical reduction in social interactions and public events. However, the increase in criminal damage and arson highlights potential vulnerabilities in property management or seasonal disruptions. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Godalming’s crime exposure remains significantly lower than the UK average, with its total rate 45.6% below national figures. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, where local rates are 3% and 47% below the UK average, respectively. For residents, these figures suggest a community where crime is not only infrequent but also concentrated in specific categories, offering opportunities for targeted prevention efforts without overextending resources.