Dereham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 saw an unexpected spike in criminal damage and arson, rising 87.5% compared to January, which contrasts with the area’s overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 — 21.1% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure places Dereham among the safer built-up areas in England, though the surge in property-related offences raises questions about local factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.5% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.0%) and criminal damage and arson (12.8%). The seasonal context of February, a winter month with low outdoor activity, typically aligns with reduced crime rates, yet the sharp increase in arson suggests possible influences such as local events or environmental factors. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, remained a persistent concern, likely tied to the area’s community dynamics. Violent crime rates in Dereham (2.2 per 1,000) are 12% below the UK average, reflecting a safer profile for personal safety despite the property crime uptick. The data hints at a combination of seasonal lulls and sporadic spikes, which may require further analysis to identify underlying patterns.

The most striking shift in February was the 87.5% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 8 to 15 incidents — a category where Dereham’s rate is 30% above the UK average. This jump, coupled with a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 0 to 3) and robbery (from 0 to 2), suggests a potential localised escalation in property-related crime. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted 80% (from 5 to 1), aligning with Dereham’s 77% below-average rate for this category, possibly due to reduced foot traffic in winter. Other theft also dropped sharply, now 45% below the UK average, though this may reflect seasonal patterns rather than long-term trends. The breakdown shows a notable shift in crime mix: violent crimes (45) now slightly outnumber property crimes (39), a reversal from previous months. Public order offences, at 80% below the UK average, remained low, likely due to the area’s smaller scale and community policing efforts. Residents may find the daily crime count of 4 incidents useful for contextualising local safety, though the spikes in arson and weapons possession warrant closer attention.

Dereham’s crime rate in February (5.6 per 1,000) marked a 22.6% decline from January’s 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend over recent months. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 4 crimes per day — a figure that, while consistent with its low overall rate, highlights the sporadic nature of crime in a built-up area with a population of 20,916. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 179 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores Dereham’s position as a relatively safe place compared to the UK average. This is particularly evident in categories like vehicle crime (77% below the UK average) and public order offences (80% below), which suggest that local policing and community cohesion may be effective in mitigating certain types of crime. However, the 30% above-average rates for criminal damage and arson, and shoplifting, indicate areas where local strategies could be strengthened. These comparisons reveal a nuanced picture: Dereham’s crime profile is shaped by both its rural-urban mix and the specific dynamics of its community, with some categories aligning closely with national trends and others diverging significantly.