Rural Breckland Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Rural Breckland, 3.6 crimes were reported in October 2023, placing the area 55% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This rate translates to roughly one reported crime for every 282 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises risk in daily life. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (45.3% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (12.6%) and public order incidents (9.5%). While violent crime remains the largest category, its rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 41% below the UK average for this type, consistent with the area’s character as a rural built-up zone with limited nightlife and fewer opportunities for violent encounters. Seasonal factors in October—such as darker evenings, Halloween activities, and the clocks going back—may influence patterns, though the overall crime picture remains low. The dominance of violent crime over property crime (43 vs 32 incidents) contrasts with many urban centres, where property crime often dominates. This suggests that community dynamics, local demographics, and the built environment play a role in shaping crime profiles, even in rural settings.

October saw a sharp 300% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 2 to 8 incidents—a jump that could reflect seasonal shifts, such as increased traffic during Halloween or changes in parking patterns. Other crime also rose sharply, doubling from 1 to 3 cases, while possession of weapons—a category typically rare in rural areas—doubled from 0 to 2. These spikes may indicate isolated incidents or temporary disruptions, though long-term trends. Conversely, drugs-related crime fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), and burglary decreased by 42.9% (from 7 to 4), due to improved security measures or seasonal factors like reduced foot traffic. Violent crime, though still the largest category, remains significantly below the UK average for this type, with its rate of 1.6 per 1,000 being 41% lower than the national figure. The contrast between rural Breckland’s crime mix and urban centres is stark: while property crime often dominates in cities, violence is more prevalent here, likely influenced by local social dynamics and the area’s demographic profile.

The crime rate in Rural Breckland rose by 10.6% from 3.2 per 1,000 in September to 3.6 per 1,000 in October, a modest increase that may reflect seasonal transitions rather than systemic changes. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported over the 31 days of October, equating to roughly one incident every 10 days in the area. When scaled to the population of 26,781, this means that over the course of the month, one resident in every 282 experienced a reported crime—a figure that, while low, is worth noting for context. Compared to the previous month, the rise in violent crime (from 39 to 43 incidents) and vehicle crime (from 2 to 8) suggests that October’s darker evenings and seasonal events may have temporarily increased risk. However, the overall rate remains far below the UK average, with property crime (32 incidents) and violent crime (43 incidents) both significantly underrepresented nationally. This underscores the area’s unique profile as a rural built-up zone where community cohesion and lower population density likely contribute to sustained low crime levels, even during months with temporary spikes.