Swaffham Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Swaffham, Breckland, reveal a crime rate of 70.5 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. While this rate is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, it still warrants attention. The area's safety score of 84/100 indicates a relatively safe environment compared to the national average of 79/100. Overall, crime in Swaffham has shown a stable trend, decreasing by 4.5% year-on-year, demonstrating a period of relative consistency in criminal activity.

The crime landscape in Swaffham is characterised by a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.2% of reported incidents. These were followed by anti-social behaviour (14.2%), and shoplifting (11.4%). Criminal damage and arson also contribute significantly (10.1%), alongside public order offences (8.0%). While property crimes are present, they are comparatively lower, with overall property crime representing 22.8 per 1,000 residents annually. Other theft and miscellaneous crimes make up a significant portion of the remaining incidents. The relatively low number of burglaries (1.0 per 1,000) suggests that residential break-ins are less common than other crime types in Swaffham.

Crime rates in Swaffham have demonstrated a stable trend, decreasing by 4.5% year-on-year. Examining the monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations throughout the year. The highest monthly crime rate was observed in May 2025 (8.8 per 1,000), while the lowest was recorded in December 2025 (3.9 per 1,000). These variations likely reflect seasonal factors and local events, but the overall downward trend indicates a positive shift in the area's safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Swaffham

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences in Swaffham, it's crucial to be vigilant in public spaces. Avoid walking alone at night where possible, and stick to well-lit, populated routes. With shoplifting being a notable concern, be mindful of your belongings when shopping and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Due to incidents of anti-social behaviour, report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly. Finally, secure your home thoroughly, ensuring doors and windows are locked, and consider installing security lighting to deter potential intruders.

Crimes in Swaffham exhibit varying patterns throughout the day. Burglary is most frequently reported during the night hours (12am-6am), accounting for 10% of incidents, with a spike in the afternoon (6%). Violence tends to peak during the evening hours (6pm-12am), particularly on weekends. Theft is most prevalent during commercial hours (9am-5pm), while vehicle crime is more common overnight (11pm-6am). Overall, the afternoon hours (12pm-6pm) see a higher volume of theft, suggesting that opportunistic crime is more likely to occur during times of increased foot traffic.

When compared to neighbouring areas, Swaffham’s crime rate stands out. Areas such as North Pickenham and Castle Acre have reported no crime, highlighting a stark contrast. Necton, however, exhibits a crime rate of 57.9 per 1,000, suggesting that Swaffham’s rate, while lower than the UK average, remains elevated compared to some surrounding communities. This difference in crime rates underscores the varying levels of safety across Breckland.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide footage after a burglary has occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing; proactively preventing threats at your property line is another. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, changes this paradigm. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property continuously, identifying potential threats at the boundary before they escalate. The DVLA vehicle verification feature can instantly recognise fake number plates, a common tactic used by opportunistic thieves. Most burglars decide within 60 seconds - the visible deterrence of scOS, with its lights and speakers activating, can make them move on, preventing the crime altogether. This pattern learning capability recognises your family and deliveries, ensuring only genuine threats trigger an alert. If you're looking for a different level of property protection, consider how scOS can provide peace of mind.