Dereham Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Dereham's August 2023 crime profile reveals a striking dominance of violent crimes over property offences, with 60 violent incidents compared to 53 property-related crimes. This 39.7% share of violent crimes—violence and sexual offences—places the area 10% above the UK average for this category, while shoplifting alone contributes 12.6% of total crimes, a figure 50% higher than the national average. The overall crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents, 11.1% below the UK average, suggests a generally safer environment, yet the disproportionate emphasis on violent crime raises questions about local factors. August, as a peak holiday month, may have exacerbated tensions in certain areas, with increased tourism and empty homes potentially contributing to burglary risks. However, the data also shows notable disparities: anti-social behaviour and public order offences are significantly below the UK average, while drug-related crimes are 173% above national levels, indicating a complex mix of challenges. This balance between violent crime prevalence and lower property crime rates may reflect the area's demographic makeup, including its role as a commuter hub or its proximity to rural zones with differing crime dynamics. Seasonal factors, such as school holidays and summer tourism, likely play a role in shaping these patterns, though the exact interplay between these elements remains to be fully understood.

August 2023 saw dramatic spikes in vehicle crime and other crime categories, with both rising by 300% compared to July. This surge, from one to four incidents each, may reflect increased traffic or unsecured vehicles during the summer holiday season. Meanwhile, shoplifting increased by 137.5%, climbing from eight to 19 cases—a stark contrast to the 50% UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, however, dropped by 19%, and public order offences fell by 50%, suggesting some localised success in managing community tensions. Violent crimes, which accounted for 39.7% of all incidents, were 10% above the UK average, pointing to a persistent challenge in addressing personal safety concerns. These figures highlight a combination of seasonal factors and local enforcement efforts, with property crimes remaining a significant but slightly lower proportion than violent offences.

Dereham's crime rate in August 2023 rose by 5.6% compared to the previous month, climbing from 6.8 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is modest, it reflects a shift in crime patterns that warrant attention. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five reported crimes each day in August, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 139 residents, a monthly exposure rate that provides a tangible sense of the scale of criminal activity relative to the population. This figure, though seemingly low, is influenced by the area's specific characteristics, including its status as a built-up area within Breckland, where a mix of residential and commercial spaces may contribute to varying crime dynamics. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the overall rate remains below the UK average, the month-on-month shift suggests local factors—such as seasonal tourism or changes in community activity—could be influencing the crime profile.