Breckland Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 saw Breckland's overall crime rate remain 35.7% below the UK average at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a consistently safer profile compared to national trends. The month's crime profile was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 41.4% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.3%) and criminal damage (9.4%). These patterns align with Breckland's character as a largely rural district with significant urban centres, where high foot traffic in town centres and public spaces may contribute to anti-social behaviour. Seasonal factors also played a role, with the peak of summer holidays and festivals likely increasing opportunities for petty crime. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remained 23% below the UK average (2.9 per 1,000), suggesting local initiatives or community cohesion may be effective in curbing severe violence. However, the sharp rise in specific categories during July will be addressed in the highlights section below.

July 2024 marked a concerning upward trend in specific crime types, with theft from the person surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and robbery doubling (from 0 to 4). These spikes, though still relatively low in absolute terms, highlight vulnerabilities in personal safety during summer evenings when outdoor events and festivals draw crowds. Vehicle crime also rose by 61.5% (13 to 21), likely linked to increased car usage during holidays and the presence of parked vehicles in popular tourist spots. Breckland's violent crime rate (2.2 per 1,000) remained 23% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) was 31% below national levels. This suggests that while certain crime types are rising, the area's overall safety profile remains stronger than the UK average. Residents should remain vigilant in areas with high transient populations and ensure vehicles are secured during peak tourist periods.

Breckland's crime rate increased by 7.8% from June 2024 (5.0 to 5.4 per 1,000), reflecting a modest but notable upward shift. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 25 crimes per day in July, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 186 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly lower than many urban areas. When compared to the UK average, Breckland's overall safety continues to stand out, with its crime rate 35.7% below the national benchmark. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Breckland's per capita crime figures are consistently lower than the UK average for most categories, except for 'other crime' (18% above). This contrast underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies and community engagement in maintaining lower crime rates, even as specific categories show temporary increases.