Breckland Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 146,620 residents, Breckland recorded 785 crimes in September 2023, translating to a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is 32.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a safer profile compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, making up 45.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.8%) and criminal damage and arson (8.3%). These patterns align with Breckland’s character as a largely rural district with significant urban centres, where interpersonal conflicts and property-related issues dominate. September, a transitional month marked by the return to school and university freshers, may partly explain the elevated share of violent crimes, as increased social activity and nightlife engagement can heighten tensions. Conversely, the comparatively low rates of theft from the person and vehicle crime suggest that Breckland’s lower population density and reduced foot traffic in non-urban areas contribute to these figures. The area’s crime profile contrasts sharply with major UK cities, where property crime often surpasses violent crime in frequency. However, Breckland’s proximity to larger towns and transport links likely influences its crime mix, balancing rural isolation with urban connectivity.

September 2023 saw notable shifts in Breckland’s crime profile, with burglary increasing by 120% compared to August, rising from 15 to 33 incidents. This spike may reflect seasonal patterns, as households prepare for winter by securing properties, yet the sudden surge raises questions about targeted activity. Meanwhile, drugs-related crimes rose by 42.9% (21 to 30), a trend consistent with the start of the academic year, which may see increased illicit activity around educational institutions. Public order offences also climbed by 33.3%, linked to the return of students and the associated social dynamics in local town centres. On the decline, bicycle theft fell by 33.3% (from 9 to 6), due to reduced cycling during the transition to shorter evenings. Anti-social behaviour, while still the second most common crime, remained 40% below the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), suggesting that Breckland’s community policing efforts or rural demographics may mitigate such incidents. Violent crimes in Breckland (2.4 per 1,000) were 12% below the UK average (2.7 per 1,000), indicating that the area’s lower population density and reduced urban density may contribute to this disparity.

Breckland’s crime rate in September 2023 (5.4 per 1,000) represents an 11% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. Over the course of the month, this equates to roughly 26 crimes reported daily, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When scaled to population size, one reported crime occurred for every 187 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Breckland compared to the UK average. This statistic is particularly significant for a district of 146,620 people, as it highlights the proportion of the population affected by crime each month. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the month-on-month rise suggests that local factors—such as the return of students to educational institutions or seasonal changes in outdoor activity—may temporarily influence crime patterns. The contrast with the UK average is stark, especially in categories like vehicle crime, which in Breckland (0.1 per 1,000) was 79% below the national rate (0.5 per 1,000). This discrepancy likely stems from Breckland’s rural character, where fewer vehicles are concentrated in urban areas, reducing opportunities for such crimes.