Swaffham Crime Rate

Swaffham is a safe and historic market town with an overall crime rate of 71.4 per 1,000 residents. This is comfortably below the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a strong safety score of 84/100 (compared to the UK average of 79). The recent crime trend in Swaffham is stable, showing a slight decrease of 2.2% in total offences year-over-year. This indicates a consistent and secure environment for the town's 8,710 inhabitants. Property crime is also lower than the national average, at 22.7 per 1,000 people. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the types of crime reported in Swaffham, when they occur, and practical advice for maintaining property security.

In Swaffham, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, making up 40.4% of the total, with a rate of 28.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 14.9%, followed by shoplifting at 10.8%. These figures indicate that community-level disruption and personal safety are the primary concerns for local residents.

Property-related crime in Swaffham has a combined rate of 22.7 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting (7.7 per 1,000), other theft (5.7 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (7.1 per 1,000), and lower rates of burglary (1.0 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (1.1 per 1,000). While the rates of residential burglary and car theft are very low, the higher frequency of shoplifting and 'other theft' suggests that opportunistic crime is more common in commercial and public areas. Homeowners should feel relatively secure, but businesses and those in public spaces should remain mindful of their belongings.

The crime trend in Swaffham is currently stable, with a minor 2.2% decrease in total offences over the last year. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows some fluctuation, with a significant peak in May 2025 at 8.8 per 1,000 residents. Other high-activity months included September (7.1) and March (6.9). The lowest crime rate was recorded in January 2025 at 4.1 per 1,000. These fluctuations suggest that while the overall trend is steady, certain periods—particularly in late spring and early autumn—see higher levels of reported incidents. For residents, this stability is a positive sign, but the monthly peaks indicate that maintaining consistent property security remains important throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Swaffham

As violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Swaffham, personal safety and situational awareness are key to staying safe in the town.

While Swaffham is a safe community, it is always advisable to be mindful of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone after dark. Stick to well-lit areas and avoid shortcuts through unlit alleys or parks. When visiting the town centre, keep your personal belongings secure and out of sight to prevent opportunistic theft. If you are a business owner, ensuring your premises are well-lit and have clear lines of sight can help deter shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. We also recommend residents stay connected through local community groups or Neighbourhood Watch to keep informed about any local safety concerns. By taking these sensible precautions, you can help maintain Swaffham's reputation as a secure and pleasant place to live.

Crime in Swaffham follows a predictable daily cycle. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft and shoplifting as the town centre becomes active, with theft-related incidents reaching 58% in the afternoon. As evening sets in, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become more prominent, accounting for 62% of reports. During the night (12am-6am), the overall volume of crime drops, but the relative percentage of burglary (12%) and vehicle crime (19%) reaches its highest point. This suggests that while daytime crime is primarily opportunistic and commercial, night-time risks are more focused on unattended property and vehicles under the cover of darkness.

Swaffham serves as a central hub for several smaller, very low-crime villages. Compared to Necton, which has a crime rate of 56.0 per 1,000, Swaffham's rate of 71.4 is higher but remains well within safe limits. Other nearby areas such as North Pickenham, Sporle, and Castle Acre report negligible crime in this data period. This highlights Swaffham's role as a more active commercial centre where a higher volume of reported incidents is expected, yet it still maintains a high safety score compared to most UK urban areas.

With a property crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000, Swaffham homeowners enjoy a relatively secure environment, but the presence of opportunistic theft and shoplifting in the town suggests that security should not be overlooked. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or DIY alarms, are reactive; they provide footage of an incident after it has occurred, which often does little to prevent the crime itself.

For those seeking the highest level of protection, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered solution. scOS monitors your property 24/7, using advanced intelligence to detect threats at the boundary of your home—before a break-in can even be attempted. The system can distinguish between your family, delivery services, and genuine intruders. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, surprising the intruder and deterring them from proceeding. This proactive approach turns your Swaffham home into a hard target, ensuring that opportunistic criminals move on to easier, less protected properties.