Crime in Waverley: statistics, rates and trends

5,896 crimes were recorded in Waverley in the 12 months to July 2026, 43.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,265 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Waverley has the 305th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Waverley was highest in the year to July 2020 (8,201 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (5,785). Over the whole period it fell 17%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Waverley over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in theft from the person (+50%) and shoplifting (+34%).

The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-27%) and vehicle crime (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Waverley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Waverley recorded 2,265 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 38.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Waverley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Waverley recorded 956 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 16.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Waverley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Waverley recorded 524 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Waverley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Waverley recorded 466 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Waverley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Waverley recorded 435 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Waverley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Waverley recorded 383 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Waverley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Waverley recorded 265 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Waverley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Waverley recorded 214 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Waverley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Waverley recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Waverley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Waverley recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Waverley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Waverley recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Waverley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Waverley recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Waverley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Waverley recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Waverley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Waverley recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Waverley, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Waverley.

43 areas within Waverley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Farnham Castle had the highest rate (110.8 per 1,000) and Godalming Holloway the lowest (15.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Waverley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Waverley over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Waverley has an estimated population of 134,284. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Waverley sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Waverley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.