Breckland Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In Breckland, the per-capita risk of encountering crime in August 2023 translates to one reported incident for every 207 residents over the course of the month. This figure, derived from 707 total crimes recorded, places the local crime rate at 4.8 per 1,000 residents—40.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. The data reveals a distinct crime profile shaped by local demographics and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences dominated the landscape, accounting for 40.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.4%) and criminal damage and arson (11.7%). These patterns are consistent with Breckland’s likely character as a rural or semi-rural area, where community-based crime and property damage may be more prevalent than in densely populated urban centres. Seasonal context further influences these figures: August, a peak holiday month, may see increased burglary risks due to empty homes and heightened retail activity, though Breckland’s overall crime rate remains markedly lower than the UK average. The relatively low rates of violent crime, particularly the 28% gap below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, suggest a combination of geographic isolation, community cohesion, or effective local policing. However, the data also highlights pockets of concern, such as the 71% gap below the UK average for burglary (0.1 vs 0.3 per 1,000), which may reflect a lack of targeted property crime in the area, due to lower population density or fewer high-value assets. This juxtaposition of low overall rates with specific category disparities illustrates the combination of factors that shape Breckland’s crime picture, making it a unique case within the UK’s broader criminal justice framework.

August 2023 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with bicycle theft surging by 200% (3 to 9 incidents) and vehicle crime rising by 71.4% (14 to 24). These increases may reflect heightened summer activity, such as cycling during warmer weather or increased vehicle usage during holiday travel. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 83.3% (6 to 1), likely linked to reduced foot traffic in public spaces during August. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remained 28% below the UK average (1.9 vs 2.6 per 1,000), illustrating a consistent pattern of lower violent crime in Breckland compared to national trends. Anti-social behaviour also showed a significant decline, dropping by 47.8% (69 to 36), potentially influenced by seasonal changes in community engagement or enforcement efforts. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime in the area, where specific categories can fluctuate dramatically within a single month.

Breckland’s crime rate in August 2023 dropped to 4.8 per 1,000 residents, a 14.7% decrease from July’s 5.7 per 1,000. This decline suggests a continued trend of lower crime exposure compared to the previous month, though seasonal factors may influence this shift. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 23 crimes per day in August, a figure that, while specific to Breckland, offers a tangible sense of local risk. Over the course of the month, the average resident faced a 1-in-207 chance of being directly involved in a reported crime, highlighting the relatively low likelihood of personal exposure. This monthly exposure statistic, when contextualised against Breckland’s population of 146,620, underscores that the majority of residents are unaffected by crime, even during peak summer activity. The population-scaled perspective further reveals that Breckland’s crime profile remains significantly less intense than the UK average, with the 40.7% gap suggesting a combination of geographic, economic, and social factors that contribute to its lower crime rates.