Burglary and car theft means it is LESS safe to live in affluent areas with big detached homes in Surrey?!

[Pineapplepiepie]

The local surrey news and resident newsletter has over the last 2 years talked a lot about people breaking into homes, going into driveways to steal cars and catalytic converters, and gangs stalking tree lined roads in cars to see where they next target.

I am not talking about council estates or run down areas known for crime, but affluent leafy areas with big detached homes... specifically Epsom Downs, South Cheam, South Sutton, Banstead.

Does this mean it is LESS safe to live on these homes given thieves target these areas and that it is safer to live in relatively more modest roads with semi detached homes, people closer together, and therefore less quiet roads?

I live in an area like that in the north west and we get a lot of car thefts, violent burglaries and street robberies (always a £50K+ watch stolen it seems). This is the exact reason I will not park a fancy car on my driveway, my 11 year old Mini is fine though. I don't go out wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Basically, I try not to draw any attention to myself or my property. I generally feel very safe walking around though and I like that the air is fairly clean and I can hear the birds chirping. No problems with anti-social behaviour (unless you count the odd robbery) on a day to day basis.

Would you like some data?
Location Crime Incidents
Benhilton (1.96 miles) 627
Carshalton (1.75 miles) 524
Carshalton Beeches (1.39 miles) 250
Carshalton on the Hill (1.96 miles) 178
Stoneleigh (2.24 miles) 133
North Looe (2.24 miles) 122
Belmont 100
Banstead (1.86 miles) 88
Cheam (0.62 miles) 47
Little Woodcote (1.96 miles) 32

South Cheam would be a mix of Cheam and Belmont.

Those numbers are entirely meaningless without context. What crimes? What period of time? Where precisely?

To give an example oh how crime stats are misleading : a break in to a cricket pavilion where 10 people’s wallets are stolen out of the locker room could be recorded as 20 crimes: 10 x burglary and 10x theft.

Yes, I assumed the OP could do some googling for themselves. On the site where I got that it breaks it down by crime. But the upshot is exactly as you'd expect.

@ChristopherTracy

Yes, I assumed the OP could do some googling for themselves. On the site where I got that it breaks it down by crime. But the upshot is exactly as you'd expect.

I looked at the stats online but they simply look terrifying - violent crimes and car crimes everywhere really. So was hoping for some people who know the area and whether they feel safe there. But it sounds like it's generally safe with little anti social behaviour, just an alarm or CCTV

I guess the conclusion is that detached homes are still desirable despite the risk of burglary at the end of the day.

@countrytown

crime happens everywhere though & car theft is one of the least scary crimes imo.

I wouldn't say those areas are particularly posh though.

Car jacking involves extracting the keys from the owner, i.e pointing a weapon/assaulting the owner, not every car stolen involves a silent fob signal stealing away from owner.

I'd rather have my car stolen than be stabbed 🤷🏼‍♀️

Does insurance cover stolen cars?