Dereham Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Dereham

Dereham experiences an overall crime rate of 84.1 per 1,000 people per year, which is below the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to a positive safety score of 81 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 78. Over the past year, Dereham's crime trend has remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 2.9%. This overview provides a clear picture of the current crime landscape in Dereham, offering context for a more in-depth exploration of specific crime types and their temporal patterns within the town.

Crime Breakdown in Dereham

In Dereham, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, with 694 incidents, equating to 33.2 per 1,000 people and representing 39.5% of all crimes. Shoplifting follows as a significant concern with 316 crimes (15.1 per 1,000, 18.0%), and Anti-social behaviour accounts for 222 incidents (10.6 per 1,000, 12.6%). Property-related crimes, encompassing burglary, shoplifting, other theft, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, robbery, and theft from the person, collectively stand at a rate of 30.4 per 1,000 people. This is below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. These figures are important for residents and homeowners to understand when considering their personal and property security measures.

Crime Trends in Dereham

Dereham has maintained a stable crime trend over the past year, with a slight decrease of 2.9% year-over-year. The monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents shows some variability. October 2024 recorded 6.8, dropping to 5.7 in November, before rising to 7.3 in December 2024 and peaking at 8.2 in January 2025. Following this, rates generally settled between 6.2 and 6.8 through the spring and early summer, with a brief increase to 8.3 in July 2025. The most recent data for September 2025 indicates a rate of 6.6. This stable trend, despite monthly fluctuations, suggests that the overall crime situation in Dereham has not seen significant shifts, offering a consistent environment for residents.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Dereham

Crime patterns in Dereham exhibit distinct shifts throughout the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prevalent, accounting for 44% of crimes, alongside 'other' crimes at 42%, suggesting activity around commercial areas and daily routines. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees an even higher proportion of theft at 48%, with 'other' crimes at 38%, likely influenced by peak shopping hours. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes become dominant at 66%, while theft drops to 19%, indicating a shift towards public order or social issues. Finally, the night hours (12am-6am) show 'other' crimes at 55% and vehicle crime at 20%, reflecting increased vulnerability for unattended vehicles and properties during quieter times.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Dereham's crime statistics with its neighbouring areas, a clear picture emerges of its relative safety. Dereham, with an overall crime rate of 84.1 per 1,000, generally sits higher than smaller, more rural settlements like Yaxham, Clint Green, and Beetley. However, it often compares favourably or similarly to slightly larger or more active areas such as Swanton Morley. This local comparison highlights that while Dereham experiences a typical level of crime for a market town, it generally maintains a stable and manageable crime environment within the broader Breckland district. Residents can use this context to understand Dereham's position in the regional safety landscape.

Protecting Your Home in Dereham

Given Dereham's property crime rate of 30.4 per 1,000 people, which is below the national average, prioritising robust home security is a sensible step for residents. Traditional security cameras, while useful for recording, often only provide evidence after a burglary has occurred. DIY systems, similarly, tend to alert you once an intrusion is underway. For truly proactive protection, consider advanced AI-powered solutions like scOS, designed to prevent crime before it escalates.

scOS offers comprehensive, real-time threat detection at your property's boundary, utilising multi-camera intelligence to monitor all angles simultaneously. It learns your property's routines to differentiate genuine threats from everyday activity, reducing false alarms. By activating lights and engaging speakers, scOS creates an immediate deterrent, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often making them decide to move on within 60 seconds. This professional approach to security focuses on prevention, offering a higher level of protection than reactive recording, and providing greater peace of mind for homeowners in Dereham.