Breckland Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 146,620, 785 crimes in September 2023 equate to a rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing Breckland 32.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This rate, though lower than the national benchmark, reflects a mix of crime types that suggests a local profile shaped by both urban and rural characteristics. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 45.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.3%). The seasonal context of September—marking the return of students to universities and the start of the school term—may contribute to patterns observed in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which often rise during periods of social transition. The relatively low rate of property crimes compared to the UK average, particularly in categories like vehicle crime (79% below) and shoplifting (46% below), may indicate a community with fewer high-traffic commercial areas or stronger local deterrents. However, the sharp increase in burglary cases from 15 to 33 suggests a need to investigate localized factors, such as changes in property security or shifts in criminal focus. These findings illustrate the nuanced relationship between seasonal rhythms and crime patterns, as well as the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to public safety that addresses both immediate concerns and long-term trends.

September 2023 saw a 120.0% increase in burglary cases, rising from 15 to 33, marking one of the most significant month-on-month shifts in Breckland's crime history. This surge, combined with a 42.9% rise in drug-related offences, highlights a potential realignment in criminal activity that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as back-to-school transitions. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 33.3%, a decrease that aligns with broader trends of reduced vehicle-related crimes in the area. The breakdown of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences remain the dominant category, contributing 45.2% of all reported incidents—12% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 14.8% of total crimes, is 40% below the national benchmark, suggesting a community that may be particularly effective in managing such disturbances. These shifts in crime mix, from property crimes to violent offences, indicate a combination of local dynamics that warrant ongoing scrutiny.

Breckland's crime rate in September 2023 rose by 11.0% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.8 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in local patterns that may partly explain the monthly exposure figure of one reported crime for every 187 residents over the course of the month. On a daily basis, Breckland experienced approximately 26 crimes per day in September, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur in the district. When compared to the UK average, Breckland's overall rate remains 32.5% lower, but the month-on-month rise suggests a need to monitor trends closely. The population context further underscores that 785 crimes in a community of 146,620 residents equates to a relatively low frequency of incidents per individual, though the 11% increase from August indicates a dynamic that may require further contextual analysis.