Dereham Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Dereham's crime rate in June 2024 stood at 7.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 6.1% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure reflects a continued trend of lower-than-average crime levels in the built-up area of Breckland, a rural district characterised by a mix of small-town infrastructure and surrounding agricultural land. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.5% of total incidents (70 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.3%) and criminal damage and arson (12.4%). These patterns align with seasonal shifts typical of small towns in early summer, when increased foot traffic in local centres may contribute to higher rates of public order offences and property crimes. The town's lower-than-average vehicle crime rate (0.1 per 1,000) suggests limited exposure to theft in car parks, possibly due to lower commuter activity compared to larger urban centres. The 7.7 crime rate also highlights Dereham's position as a relatively low-crime area, though the prominence of violent offences—3.4 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000—raises questions about local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies. As June marks the beginning of the summer season, the data may also hint at a seasonal shift in criminal activity, with increased socialising driving anti-social behaviour and public order incidents.

June 2024 saw the most dramatic month-on-month change in possession of weapons, which surged from zero to seven cases—a 100% increase. This spike, though small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 75% decline in vehicle crime (from four to one), likely reflecting seasonal changes in local activity patterns. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, with 70 incidents (3.4 per 1,000), 23% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 32.4% (from 34 to 23 cases), potentially linked to reduced alcohol-related incidents during early summer. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose by 25% (from 12 to 15 cases), suggesting increased retail activity in local centres. The town's performance on specific categories was striking: criminal damage and arson (1.0 per 1,000) was 64% above the UK average, while other theft (0.4 per 1,000) was 31% below. Residents may find the 100% increase in weapon possession cases particularly noteworthy, though the small sample size limits definitive conclusions about underlying trends.

Dereham's crime rate in June 2024 (7.7 per 1,000) represented a 19.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.6 per 1,000, illustrating a marked reduction in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the town recorded an average of five crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 130 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate places Dereham in a relatively safer position compared to the UK average, though the local context reveals nuanced patterns. For instance, while the town's overall rate is lower than the national average, specific categories like violence and sexual offences exceed UK norms, suggesting localized pressures that may not be fully captured by national statistics. The decline from May to June aligns with typical seasonal trends in small towns, where reduced nighttime activity and warmer weather may contribute to lower crime rates. However, the persistent above-average rates of criminal damage and arson (1.0 per 1,000) raise questions about whether targeted policing or community initiatives could address these issues more effectively. The 1-in-130 resident figure, while seemingly low, underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance in areas where crime remains concentrated, such as local retail centres or public spaces.