Breckland Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2024, Breckland recorded 695 crimes across a population of 146,620, translating to a crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 39% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant gaps in the country. The area's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences (304 incidents, 43.7% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (105 incidents, 15.1%) and criminal damage and arson (71 incidents, 10.2%). These patterns align with Breckland's character as a largely rural district with limited urban centres, where community policing and low population density may contribute to the lower rate of property crimes compared to major cities. The seasonal context of September—marking the start of the academic year and the return of university students—may have influenced the prevalence of violence, as increased social interactions in public spaces could temporarily elevate interpersonal conflicts. However, the data also shows that Breckland's residents experience significantly fewer violent crimes than the national average, with the rate for violence and sexual offences being 20% lower than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, which often occurs in areas with higher foot traffic, remains below the UK rate, suggesting effective local interventions or community cohesion. The low rate of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and bicycle theft (0.0 per 1,000) further supports the hypothesis that Breckland's rural nature and limited commercial activity reduce opportunities for such crimes compared to more densely populated areas.

September 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns within Breckland. Other theft increased by 57.7% compared to August, rising from 26 to 41 incidents. This surge may reflect heightened activity during the back-to-school period, though no direct causal link can be established. Conversely, robbery and theft from the person both fell sharply, with robbery dropping 66.7% (from 3 to 1) and theft from the person decreasing by 50% (from 2 to 1). These declines could be attributed to increased foot traffic and visibility in public spaces during the early autumn months. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, but their rate (2.1 per 1,000) was 20% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour also fell significantly below the UK rate, with 40% fewer incidents than the national average. The sharp 78% gap in vehicle crime compared to the UK average may indicate effective local enforcement strategies in high-risk areas such as car parks or transport hubs.

Breckland's crime rate in September 2024 (4.7 per 1,000) represents a 7.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.1 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the area's consistently low crime profile relative to the UK average. On a daily basis, the local authority recorded approximately 23 crimes per day in September, a figure that contextualises the monthly total within the rhythm of daily life. When scaled to the population of 146,620, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 211 residents. This statistic provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime in Breckland compared to other areas. The rate remains 39% below the UK average, a gap that has persisted despite seasonal shifts in activity, such as the return to school and university term. The relatively low daily crime count and monthly exposure suggest that residents experience a markedly safer environment than the national average, though local factors such as community engagement and policing strategies may contribute to this disparity.