VIOLENCE is falling in East Surrey according to the UK's first Peace Index.
The document, drawn up by research organisation the Institute for Economics and Peace, attributes local authorities a peace rating from one to five – with one being the best – for the last eight years.
It also gives each area specific ratings for homicide, violent crime, weapons crime, public disorder and numbers of police, based on the number of crimes and officers per 100,000 people.
While numbers of police have remained constant, violence in general is down in both Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge over the last three years.
The only exceptions to the improving levels of peace are a slight rise in Reigate and Banstead's weapons crime rating (from 1.730 in 2011 to 2.120 in 2012), and Tandridge's homicide rating, which jumped from 1 to 2.1 in 2011 – probably due to the death of musician Smiley Culture, who died of a stab wound to the heart during a police search of his home in Warlingham in March 2011.
Reigate and Banstead's peace rating is lower than its neighbour – 1.9 in 2012 compared to Tandridge's 1.49.
But the borough's police chief says the overall message is very encouraging.
Reigate and Banstead neighbourhood Inspector Richard Haycock said: "The factors impacting on these sort of changes are complex.
"One thing is the shifting perceptions in society towards alcohol and the effects it can have on conduct in public places.
"Police being more visible is also important, but there are factors outside our control.
"The closure of Liquid and Envy [former Redhill nightclub], for example, had a big impact, a factor like that is a business decision but can have a big effect in the area."
Mr Haycock said maintaining police levels – which have scored a one since 2008 – was key to the success.
"It has enabled us to maintain the style of neighbourhood policing that we do, which is high visibility and contact with the community," he added.
The ratings are calculated by comparing the number of crimes per 100,000 people to international crime figures.
Tandridge neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin said: "It is reassuring to see that the total number of crimes reported to us in the last year is down.
"Educating young people about avoiding a life of crime is vital.
"I am proud to have a dedicated team of officers working with me, both locally and across the force."
