Dereham Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dereham’s crime rate in April 2024 stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 10.4% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This performance contrasts with the national picture, where the built-up area within Breckland demonstrates a consistently lower-than-average crime profile. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.8% of total reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (14.6%) and anti-social behaviour (13.9%). These figures suggest a combination of local demographics and environmental factors, with the area’s relatively low levels of property crime (33.3% of total) highlighting a distinct contrast to broader UK trends. Seasonal context may partly explain the prominence of violent crime, as April’s Easter period and increased outdoor activity align with patterns observed in similar rural-adjacent towns. The area’s lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (79% below UK average) and public order offences (62% below UK average) could reflect its character as a smaller, less densely populated built-up area, where community cohesion and limited nightlife infrastructure may contribute to reduced opportunities for such crimes. However, the elevated rate of violence and sexual offences—17% above the UK average—suggests a need for targeted interventions, particularly in public spaces where interactions may be more frequent during the spring season.

April 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with other theft surging by 140% (from 5 to 12 incidents) and vehicle crime doubling (from 0 to 3). These increases, though modest in absolute terms, could signal emerging trends such as opportunistic thefts linked to increased foot traffic during Easter or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), potentially reflecting temporary disruptions in supply chains or reduced demand during the Easter holiday period. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: while violence and sexual offences remain significantly above national levels (17% higher), anti-social behaviour is 18% below the UK average. This divergence may be influenced by Dereham’s status as a smaller built-up area, where community policing and local engagement initiatives could mitigate certain types of disorder. For residents, the daily crime count of roughly five incidents per day offers a tangible reference point, though this figure remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres. The persistent gap between local and national rates for categories like criminal damage and arson (69% above UK average) underscores the need for ongoing analysis of environmental factors, such as the area’s infrastructure and land use patterns, which may contribute to higher levels of property-related offences.

Dereham’s crime rate in April 2024 (6.9 per 1,000) showed a marginal decline of -1.4% compared to the previous month’s rate of 7.0 per 1,000, indicating a stable overall trend. When contextualised against the UK average, this performance highlights the area’s relative safety, with the 10.4% reduction in crime rate per capita underscoring its position as a below-average locale for criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately five crimes per day, a figure that may resonate more intuitively for residents than aggregated monthly rates. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for every 145 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average (which, while not explicitly provided, is implied by the 10.4% deficit). This statistic reflects the impact of Dereham’s population size (20,916 residents), where the absolute number of crimes (144) translates to a manageable scale when distributed across the community. The comparison also reveals the significance of local characteristics: for instance, the 79% reduction in vehicle crime compared to the UK average may be attributed to the area’s limited reliance on commuter parking or its lower density of vehicle-heavy zones. However, the 17% excess in violence and sexual offences compared to national figures suggests that specific local factors—such as the presence of certain public spaces or seasonal events—may warrant further attention in the context of broader UK crime profiles.