North Elmham Crime Rate

North Elmham is an exceptionally secure village within the Breckland local authority, boasting a safety score of 93/100. Its overall crime rate of 29.0 per 1,000 people is remarkably low, especially when compared to the UK average of 91.6. For its 1,174 residents, this translates to a peaceful living environment with minimal property-related concerns. While the data for Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 indicates an increasing trend—with a 100.0% rise year-over-year—this is relative to a very low baseline of activity. Property crime remains infrequent at just 10.2 per 1,000 residents. The following analysis explores the specific crime types and monthly patterns that define the village's safety profile, helping residents stay informed and secure.

Crime Breakdown in North Elmham

North Elmham's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 13 incidents, or 38.2% of the total reported activity. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 23.5%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 17.6%. Together, these three types make up nearly 80% of all police reports in the village.

Property crime in North Elmham, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is recorded at a rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, 'other theft' is the most significant contributor at 8.8%. Burglary, vehicle crime, and shoplifting are exceptionally rare, each representing only 2.9% of the total crime. For homeowners, this suggests a very secure environment where serious property intrusion is infrequent. However, the prevalence of criminal damage and other theft indicates that securing external property and garden boundaries remains a sensible precaution for maintaining a secure home.

North Elmham Crime Trends

The crime trend in North Elmham is currently increasing, with a 100.0% year-over-year rise in reported incidents. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows a fluctuating but generally upward pattern. The year began with a very low rate of 1.7 per 1,000 in January and February. After a dip to 0.9 in May, the rate began to climb, reaching 4.3 per 1,000 in August, September, and November.

The year ended with a rate of 2.6 in December. While the 100.0% increase represents a significant relative change, it is important to note that in a village of North Elmham's size, this translates to only a handful of additional crimes. However, the sustained higher rates in the latter half of the year suggest a period of increased activity that residents should be mindful of. Overall, despite the trend, the village remains one of the safest in the region.

How To Keep Safe in North Elmham

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in North Elmham. Although the actual numbers are very low, maintaining personal awareness and community vigilance is essential for keeping the village safe.

1. When walking through the village after dark, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated areas where possible.
2. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue; reporting such incidents to the local council or police helps ensure the village remains a pleasant environment for everyone.
3. Criminal damage and arson are also noted in local statistics; consider installing motion-activated lighting around your home and garden to deter opportunistic vandals.
4. 'Other theft' is a present risk; ensure that garden tools, bicycles, and expensive equipment are stored in a locked shed or garage when not in use.
5. Join the local North Elmham community safety groups or a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any local trends or suspicious activity.

Crime Timing in North Elmham

The timing of crimes in North Elmham reveals a clear temporal pattern. During the morning (6am to 12pm) and afternoon (12pm to 6pm), theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 44% and 52% of reports respectively. This suggests that property theft is primarily a daytime concern when residents may be away from their homes.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), there is a significant shift. Theft drops to 18%, while 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—rise to 74% of the total. During the night (12am to 6am), 'other' crimes remain the most common at 64%, but vehicle crime reaches its peak proportional frequency at 24%. Interestingly, burglary did not show a specific peak in the time-based data, reflecting its rarity in the village. This highlights the importance of ensuring that vehicles are securely parked and locked overnight.

North Elmham is situated in a very safe part of Norfolk. It is notably more secure than the nearby village of Swanton Morley, which has a crime rate of 46.0 per 1,000. Its safety profile is very similar to Gressenhall, which recorded 27.1 per 1,000. Only the smallest neighbouring hamlets, such as Beetley and Foxley, offer lower rates, with both reporting zero crimes in the same period. This positions North Elmham as one of the safest primary settlements in the area, offering a high quality of life with very low statistical risk. For those moving to the region, it represents a secure and stable community.

With a property crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000, North Elmham is a low-risk area, but the recent doubling of crime reports suggests that maintaining a secure home is still important. Traditional security cameras are often reactive, providing footage only after an incident has occurred. In a quiet village like North Elmham, a proactive system like scOS offers a significant advantage. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat. If someone approaches your home or outbuildings with ill intent, the system can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or audio warnings—before a crime is even committed. This proactive intervention is key to preventing criminal damage and theft. For North Elmham homeowners, scOS provides a layer of intelligent protection that deters opportunistic criminals, ensuring your property remains as safe as the community it belongs to.