Dereham Crime Rate

Dereham exhibits a crime rate of 84.2 per 1,000 residents over the period January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is slightly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a marginally safer environment than the national picture. However, it’s important to consider the specific types of crimes contributing to this rate. Violence and sexual offences constitute a significant portion, alongside shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. While there has been a stable trend in crime rates, understanding the specifics allows for a more nuanced assessment of safety and potential areas for improvement within the community. Crime rates have fluctuated month-to-month, with peaks observed in January, March and July.

Dereham's crime data reveals a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.4% of all reported crimes. These incidents are followed by shoplifting (17.4%) and anti-social behaviour (11.7%), highlighting issues within the retail and public spaces. Criminal damage and arson contribute significantly, alongside public order offences. While vehicle crime and burglary are present, they represent a smaller proportion of overall incidents. The nature of Dereham, a market town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, likely contributes to these statistics. The presence of a town centre attracts retail crime and anti-social behaviour, while the residential areas experience issues relating to violence and property crime. Demographic factors, such as the age distribution and socio-economic conditions within Dereham, could also play a role in shaping the crime landscape.

Crime rates in Dereham have remained stable year-on-year, demonstrating a decrease of 2.7%. While this represents a positive trend, fluctuations are observed month to month. January 2025 saw a higher crime rate (8.2 per 1,000) compared to February 2025 (6.7 per 1,000), followed by a gradual decrease throughout the spring months. A slight increase is then noted in October 2025 (7.5 per 1,000) before stabilizing in November and December. This variability underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted interventions to maintain this stable trend.

How To Keep Safe in Dereham

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be mindful of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and consider travelling with a friend or using well-populated routes. With shoplifting being a significant concern, keep valuables out of sight when shopping. Secure your belongings and be aware of anyone acting suspiciously. Anti-social behaviour is often linked to public spaces; report any incidents you witness to the authorities. Finally, ensure your home is securely locked and consider installing motion-sensor lighting to deter potential burglars.

Crimes in Dereham tend to occur throughout the day and evening, with a slight shift in crime type depending on the time. During the morning, theft is the most prevalent type of crime, likely linked to commercial activity. The afternoon mirrors this trend. In the evening, theft remains a concern, while vehicle crime sees a relative increase. However, it's during the night that the most significant shift occurs, with a higher proportion of burglaries and vehicle crimes, alongside a notable increase in other crimes. This pattern suggests a potential correlation with reduced street lighting and activity during the late hours.

Comparing Dereham's crime rate to surrounding areas reveals significant variations. Yaxham and Clint Green have reported no crime, offering a stark contrast. Swanton Morley demonstrates a considerably lower crime rate of 46 per 1,000, while Beetley also maintains a rate of 0. These differences likely reflect variations in population density, economic activity, and community characteristics within each location. Dereham’s rate positions it as having a moderate crime level compared to its immediate neighbours.

Traditional CCTV systems often record incidents after they’ve occurred, providing footage for investigations but failing to prevent the crime itself. scOS, on the other hand, takes a proactive approach. Imagine a scenario where a vehicle is repeatedly circling your property late at night – a traditional system would simply record it. scOS, with its multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification, would identify the vehicle as suspicious, learn its patterns, and proactively deter it before any damage or intrusion occurs. The visible presence of scOS technology – professional-grade cameras, perimeter sensors, and automated lighting – acts as a powerful deterrent, signalling to potential criminals that your property is well-protected. Most burglars decide within those critical first 60 seconds; the element of surprise and the clear indication of advanced security often prompt them to move on.