Dereham Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, Dereham’s crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents places it 18.3% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, marking a consistent trend of lower-than-average crime in this built-up area within Breckland. The breakdown of crimes reveals a striking imbalance between property and violent crimes: 47 violent offences, including 47 incidents of violence and sexual offences, account for 33.8% of all crimes, while property-related crimes total 39, or 28.1% of the overall figure. This dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with national patterns, where property crimes often outweigh violent ones. The most common crime type—violence and sexual offences—occurred at a rate of 2.3 per 1,000, 14% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may contribute to a lower incidence of violent crime. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, rose slightly above the UK average, while shoplifting—driven by August’s peak retail activity—surged to 1.2 per 1,000, 69% above the UK rate. This seasonal context, combined with the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones, may explain the divergence in crime types compared to the national average. The data highlights a combination of local conditions, where the presence of retail hubs and the timing of holidays appear to influence crime trends more than broader demographic factors.

The month-on-month changes in August 2024 reveal stark contrasts in crime trends. Shoplifting surged by 84.6%, jumping from 13 to 24 incidents, a figure that far exceeds the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000 residents and suggests a significant localised issue. This increase aligns with the seasonal context of August as a peak holiday month, where retail areas may experience heightened activity. Conversely, burglary dropped by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), and vehicle crime fell by 50.0% (from 4 to 2), indicating a possible shift in criminal focus towards retail rather than property theft. The violent crime rate—2.3 per 1,000 residents—remains 14% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area’s relatively stable community dynamics. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting offers a tangible concern, particularly in local stores and shopping centres, where vigilance may be warranted. These fluctuations underscore the importance of understanding how seasonal and economic factors influence crime patterns in Dereham.

Dereham's August 2024 crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents marks a 20.9% decline from the previous month’s 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a notable shift in local crime dynamics. This reduction, though significant, must be contextualised within the area’s population of 20,916. On a daily basis, the rate translates to approximately four crimes reported each day, a figure that, while not negligible, suggests a manageable level of activity for a built-up area. Over the course of the month, the monthly exposure ratio—1 reported crime for roughly every 150 residents—indicates that while crime is present, it remains relatively infrequent in the broader population context. This contrasts with the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, highlighting Dereham’s performance as safer in this period. The drop in burglary and vehicle crime, coupled with the rise in shoplifting, suggests a shift in criminal focus, possibly influenced by seasonal factors such as increased retail activity during August’s peak holiday period. These patterns, when viewed alongside the area’s character as a mixed-use town with retail and residential zones, offer insights into how local conditions may shape crime trends.