Crime in Dorking: statistics, rates and trends
1,346 crimes were recorded in Dorking in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dorking at a glance
- Crime trends in Dorking
- Types of crime in Dorking
- Dorking compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Dorking
- Streets with the most crime in Dorking
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dorking
- Population and deprivation in Dorking
- Questions about crime in Dorking
- About this data
1,346 crimes were recorded in Dorking in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 467 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dorking has the 626th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dorking | Mole Valley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,346 | 5,808 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 79.5 | 65.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 16,927 | 88,709 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dorking was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,523 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,175). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,346 | 79.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,397 | 82.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,459 | 86.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,175 | 69.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,299 | 76.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,468 | 86.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,473 | 87.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,523 | 90.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,440 | 85.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 121 |
| June 2026 | 125 |
| May 2026 | 133 |
| April 2026 | 152 |
| March 2026 | 93 |
| February 2026 | 116 |
| January 2026 | 85 |
| December 2025 | 106 |
| November 2025 | 99 |
| October 2025 | 122 |
| September 2025 | 91 |
| August 2025 | 103 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dorking 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. Rates were well above the national level for burglary.
The largest increases were in drugs (+78%) and burglary (+57%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-22%) and other theft (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 467 | 27.6 | 0.81 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 197 | 11.6 | 0.76 | -8% |
| Shoplifting | 126 | 7.4 | 0.90 | +33% |
| Public order | 123 | 7.3 | 1.09 | -10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 109 | 6.4 | 0.95 | -22% |
| Burglary | 94 | 5.6 | 1.57 | +57% |
| Other theft | 79 | 4.7 | 0.73 | -19% |
| Vehicle crime | 46 | 2.7 | 0.55 | +0% |
| Drugs | 41 | 2.4 | 0.74 | +78% |
| Other crime | 35 | 2.1 | 0.98 | +17% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.5 | 0.49 | -47% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.5 | 0.35 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.50 | -12% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.4 | 0.21 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dorking
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dorking recorded 467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 34.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dorking
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dorking recorded 197 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dorking
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dorking recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dorking
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dorking recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dorking
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dorking recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dorking
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dorking recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dorking
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dorking recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dorking
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dorking recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dorking
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dorking recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 78% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dorking
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dorking recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dorking
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dorking recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dorking
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dorking recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dorking
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dorking recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dorking
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dorking recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Dorking, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dorking.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dorking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bookham and Fetcham | 957 | 42.4 | -47% |
| Leatherhead | 1,552 | 122.7 | +54% |
| Reigate | 1,541 | 59.1 | -26% |
| East Horsley | 207 | 35.2 | -56% |
| Ashtead | 470 | 31.5 | -60% |
| Redhill (Reigate and Banstead) | 2,975 | 88.2 | +11% |
| Tadworth and Epsom Downs | 1,544 | 55.6 | -30% |
| Cobham (Elmbridge) | 1,328 | 71.2 | -10% |
3 areas within Dorking, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Dorking North had the highest rate (88.8 per 1,000) and Holmwoods & Beare Green the lowest (46.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorking North | Neighbourhood | 4,630 | 411 | 88.8 |
| Dorking South | Neighbourhood | 9,265 | 779 | 84.1 |
| Holmwoods & Beare Green | Neighbourhood | 6,596 | 306 | 46.4 |
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 Dorking over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 78 |
| On or near Victoria Terrace | 50 |
| On or near Dene Street Gardens | 44 |
| On or near Supermarket | 44 |
| On or near Ridgeway Close | 36 |
| On or near South Terrace | 36 |
| On or near Stubs Close | 36 |
| On or near Parking Area | 32 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 30 |
| On or near Oak Ridge | 25 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dorking 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 454 | 33.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 393 | 29.2% |
| Not recorded | 197 | 14.6% |
| Under investigation | 127 | 9.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 48 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 47 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 36 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 19 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.2% |
Dorking has an estimated population of 16,927. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dorking sits in decile 7.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dorking |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.8% |
| Social rented homes | 17.0% |
| Private rented homes | 17.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 |
Is Dorking a safe place to live?
Dorking recorded 79.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Dorking?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (197).
Is crime in Dorking going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dorking was down 4% on the year before: 1,346 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,397 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dorking?
Dorking is policed by Surrey. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Dorking. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.