Swaffham Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Swaffham's overall crime rate in November 2023 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 24.0% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This performance positions the area as one of the safer built-up areas within Breckland, though the data reveals a combination of crime types. Violent crimes, including violence and sexual offences, accounted for 68.0% of all reported incidents, a stark contrast to the 32.0% share attributed to property crimes. The dominance of violent crime in Swaffham's monthly tally aligns with patterns observed in small towns with limited public safety resources, where personal safety concerns often take precedence over property-related issues. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping these figures: the onset of dark evenings in late November may have contributed to the 34 reported violent crimes, while the proximity of Black Friday shopping could have influenced the 77.8% decline in shoplifting compared to October. However, the absence of a corresponding increase in public order offences—despite the festive season—suggests that local policing strategies or community engagement efforts may have mitigated potential spikes in disorderly conduct. The area's crime profile also reveals significant disparities compared to the UK average, with anti-social behaviour rates 33% below the national benchmark and public order offences 62% lower, indicating a possible emphasis on proactive community policing in Swaffham. These findings underscore the need for continued analysis of how local initiatives intersect with broader national crime trends, particularly in an area where violent crime remains a focal concern.

November 2023 saw a dramatic 77.8% decrease in shoplifting, with incidents falling from 9 to 2—a shift that may reflect the impact of Black Friday shopping patterns and enhanced retail security measures. Conversely, violent crimes surged by 161.5%, rising from 13 to 34 incidents, a jump that outpaces the UK average for this category by 51%. This stark contrast highlights a potential imbalance in Swaffham's crime profile, where property crime rates have fallen sharply while violent crime has climbed sharply. The 100.0% increase in criminal damage and arson, from 2 to 4 incidents, also raises questions about seasonal factors, though no direct link to Bonfire Night events is explicitly stated in the data. Anti-social behaviour, however, showed a more moderate 50.0% increase, suggesting that while some areas of concern are intensifying, others remain relatively stable. The area's violent crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents is higher than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a disparity that may be explained by the town's size and the challenges of managing limited police resources across a built-up area with a population of 8,710. These findings offer a nuanced picture of Swaffham's crime dynamics, where targeted interventions in property crime have yielded results but have not yet translated into similar reductions in violent crime.

Swaffham's crime rate in November 2023 rose by 11.0% compared to October's rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a modest but measurable upward trend. When contextualised against daily crime patterns, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while seemingly low, highlights the concentrated nature of incidents in a small built-up area. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for every 174 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average, suggests Swaffham's population is relatively insulated from broader national crime trends. This statistic becomes particularly meaningful when considering the town's demographic profile: with a population of 8,710, the 50 reported crimes represent a manageable volume for local policing, though the 34 violent crime incidents underscore the need for focused strategies in this category. The 11.0% increase from October, while not statistically extreme, serves as a reminder that even small towns can experience fluctuations in crime rates influenced by seasonal factors and local events. For residents, the 1-in-174 monthly exposure rate provides a concrete benchmark for understanding the likelihood of encountering crime, offering reassurance that the area remains one of the safer built-up areas in Breckland despite the rise in violent incidents.