Dereham Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2025, Dereham recorded 172 crimes across its population of 20,916 residents, equating to a crime rate of 8.2 per 1,000 people—15.5% above the UK average of 7.1. This figure, while modest in absolute terms, translates to a tangible presence in daily life, with one reported crime occurring for roughly every 122 residents over the month. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.7% of all incidents, a rate of 3.4 per 1,000 that is 35% higher than the UK average. Shoplifting followed at 15.1% of the total, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000—94% above the national benchmark. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also stood out, each exceeding UK averages by 2% and 76%, respectively. These patterns may be influenced by Dereham’s character as a built-up area within Breckland, where the interplay of local demographics, economic conditions, and seasonal factors likely contributes to the crime profile. January’s post-holiday context, with reduced retail footfall and shorter days, may have dampened some crime types, such as shoplifting, while simultaneously creating conditions for others, like violence, to persist. The area’s crime rate, though not extreme, warrants attention to the specific categories that exceed national averages, particularly violent crimes and property-related offences.

January 2025 saw a striking 400% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential shift in local crime dynamics. Concurrently, vehicle crime doubled from 2 to 4, a change that may reflect seasonal patterns or altered parking behaviours during shorter daylight hours. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 31.6% compared to December, possibly linked to reduced retail activity post-holiday season. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly above the UK average, with a rate of 3.4 per 1,000—35% higher than the national benchmark. This disparity highlights a local challenge that could be connected to broader social factors, such as demographic composition or community-specific pressures. The 100% increase in robbery, from 0 to 1 incident, adds to the complexity of the crime picture, though its isolated nature makes it difficult to attribute to any single cause.

Dereham’s crime rate in January 2025 rose 12.4% from December’s 7.3 to 8.2 per 1,000 residents, marking the highest monthly rate since at least December 2024. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 6 crimes reported each day—a figure that, while consistent with historical patterns, reflects a slight upward trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 122 residents, a ratio that underscores the area’s relatively higher exposure compared to the UK average. When contextualised against Dereham’s population of 20,916, this translates to a tangible presence in local life, with residents encountering crime at a rate that exceeds national benchmarks. The increase in violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences, which are 35% above the UK average, suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. However, the drop in shoplifting and public order offences indicates potential successes in addressing specific crime drivers, such as retail footfall management or community engagement efforts.