Breckland Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a significant shift in Breckland's crime profile, with the area's overall crime rate remaining 37.5% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000 residents. The district recorded 589 crimes, translating to a rate of 4.0 per 1,000 people. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 48.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (10.5%) and shoplifting (6.3%). This pattern aligns with Breckland's character as a predominantly rural district, where community-focused policing and lower population density may contribute to lower rates of violent crime compared to urban areas. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, with February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull likely reducing opportunities for crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft, which are typically higher in warmer months. However, the persistent presence of anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing challenges in managing community disorder, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of transient populations or limited public amenities. The data also highlights a notable gap between Breckland and the UK average for property crimes, with shoplifting, burglary, and vehicle crime all registering well below national levels. This may reflect the area's rural nature, where commercial activity is more dispersed and less concentrated in high-footfall retail zones that typically drive such offences. The overall crime picture in Breckland thus illustrates a balance between the protective effects of its geographical and demographic profile and the persistent need for targeted interventions in specific offence categories.

February 2026 saw dramatic fluctuations in Breckland's crime profile, with robbery incidents surging by 200% (from 1 to 3 cases) compared to January, marking the most significant month-on-month increase in the dataset. This spike, while small in absolute terms, underscores the volatility of certain crime types in the area. Bicycle theft also rose sharply by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents), a trend that may be linked to seasonal factors such as the return of cyclists after winter inactivity or changes in local transport patterns. Theft from the person increased by 100% (from 0 to 2 cases), suggesting a potential rise in opportunistic crimes during periods of increased foot traffic or public events. Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 38.7% (from 31 to 19 cases), a decrease that could reflect seasonal shifts in substance use or the impact of local law enforcement initiatives. Possession of weapons also declined by 31.3% (from 16 to 11 cases), though the overall rate for this category remains slightly above the UK average. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson decreased by 28.3% (from 46 to 33 cases), influenced by the typically lower outdoor activity in February. These contrasting trends highlight the combination of seasonal, environmental, and enforcement factors shaping Breckland's crime dynamics. For residents, the sharp rise in robbery cases serves as a reminder to remain vigilant in both public and private spaces, particularly during times of heightened vulnerability.

Breckland's February 2026 crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents represented a 6.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend in overall criminal activity. This decline places Breckland firmly within the UK's lower crime quartile, with its rate remaining 37.5% below the national average. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 21 crimes per day in February, a figure that contextualises the scale of criminal activity relative to the district's population of 146,620 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 249 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible benchmark for residents to assess their personal risk, though such figures are aggregate measures and do not account for localised variations in crime distribution. The population-scaled perspective further reinforces Breckland's position as a relatively safe area, with its crime rates consistently outperforming the UK average for most categories. However, the sharp increase in robbery cases highlights the need for continued vigilance, particularly in areas where the population density or economic activity may create conditions conducive to such offences. The comparison with the previous month also underscores the importance of tracking short-term fluctuations, as these can reveal emerging trends or the effectiveness of recent policing strategies.