Crime in South Merstham: statistics, rates and trends
967 crimes were recorded in South Merstham in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Merstham at a glance
- Crime trends in South Merstham
- Types of crime in South Merstham
- South Merstham compared with nearby towns
- Areas within South Merstham
- Streets with the most crime in South Merstham
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Merstham
- Population and deprivation in South Merstham
- Questions about crime in South Merstham
- About this data
967 crimes were recorded in South Merstham in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 307 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, South Merstham has the 469th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Merstham | Reigate and Banstead | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 967 | 11,197 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 91.1 | 70.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 10,614 | 159,134 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Merstham was highest in the year to July 2024 (1,022 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (680). Over the whole period it rose 15%, 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 | 967 | 91.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 932 | 87.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,022 | 96.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 797 | 75.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 777 | 73.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 680 | 64.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 801 | 75.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 793 | 74.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 840 | 79.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 80 |
| June 2026 | 100 |
| May 2026 | 109 |
| April 2026 | 72 |
| March 2026 | 78 |
| February 2026 | 75 |
| January 2026 | 64 |
| December 2025 | 55 |
| November 2025 | 56 |
| October 2025 | 90 |
| September 2025 | 99 |
| August 2025 | 89 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Merstham 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 vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+221%) and other theft (+44%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-86%) and burglary (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 307 | 28.9 | 0.84 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 202 | 19.0 | 1.24 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 125 | 11.8 | 2.39 | +221% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 91 | 8.6 | 1.26 | +23% |
| Public order | 88 | 8.3 | 1.25 | +9% |
| Other theft | 52 | 4.9 | 0.77 | +44% |
| Drugs | 41 | 3.9 | 1.18 | +37% |
| Burglary | 16 | 1.5 | 0.43 | -33% |
| Other crime | 16 | 1.5 | 0.71 | -6% |
| Shoplifting | 14 | 1.3 | 0.16 | -86% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 0.8 | 0.87 | -40% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 0.21 | -70% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.17 | +200% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Merstham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Merstham recorded 307 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 31.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Merstham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Merstham recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 20.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Merstham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Merstham recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 221% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Merstham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Merstham recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Merstham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Merstham recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Merstham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Merstham recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Merstham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Merstham recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Merstham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Merstham recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Merstham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Merstham recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Merstham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Merstham recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 86% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Merstham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Merstham recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Merstham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Merstham recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 70% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Merstham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Merstham recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to South Merstham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Merstham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Merstham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redhill (Reigate and Banstead) | 2,975 | 88.2 | -3% |
| Reigate | 1,541 | 59.1 | -35% |
| Caterham | 1,841 | 79.7 | -13% |
| Banstead | 520 | 62.9 | -31% |
| Tadworth and Epsom Downs | 1,544 | 55.6 | -39% |
| Warlingham | 424 | 60.0 | -34% |
| Horley (Reigate and Banstead) | 1,836 | 61.2 | -33% |
| Oxted | 753 | 57.8 | -37% |
1 areas within South Merstham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hooley, Merstham & Netherne had the highest rate (82.7 per 1,000) and Hooley, Merstham & Netherne the lowest (82.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooley, Merstham & Netherne | Neighbourhood | 11,806 | 976 | 82.7 |
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 South Merstham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 61 |
| On or near Gatton Bottom | 49 |
| On or near Supermarket | 47 |
| On or near Thornton Side | 46 |
| On or near Nailsworth Crescent | 34 |
| On or near The Moors | 34 |
| On or near Hildenley Close | 31 |
| On or near Bletchingley Road | 29 |
| On or near Weldon Way | 25 |
| On or near Laxton Gardens | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Merstham 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 287 | 29.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 259 | 26.8% |
| Not recorded | 202 | 20.9% |
| Under investigation | 98 | 10.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 38 | 3.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 36 | 3.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 27 | 2.8% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 1.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
South Merstham has an estimated population of 10,614. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Merstham sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Merstham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.7% |
| Social rented homes | 20.9% |
| Private rented homes | 13.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
Is South Merstham a safe place to live?
South Merstham recorded 91.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 South Merstham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 307 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (202).
Is crime in South Merstham going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Merstham was up 4% on the year before: 967 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 932 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Merstham?
South Merstham 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 South Merstham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.