Swanton Morley Crime Rate

Swanton Morley maintains a high safety standard with an overall crime rate of 46.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. This results in an impressive safety score of 89/100, positioning the village as a secure environment within the Breckland local authority. However, recent data indicates an increasing trend, with a year-over-year rise in reported incidents of 82.9%. Despite this sharp percentage increase, the actual volume of crime remains relatively low for a population of 1,630. The following analysis explores the specific crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to provide a comprehensive overview of the safety landscape in Swanton Morley for the period of Jan 2025 to Dec 2025.

Crime Breakdown in Swanton Morley

Crime in Swanton Morley is primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34 reported incidents, representing 45.3% of the total local activity. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent issue at 16.0%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 12.0%. These three categories form the core of the area's safety profile.

Regarding property-related offences, the collective rate for burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime stands at 11.7 per 1,000 residents. This includes specific figures such as a 2.7% share for burglary and 1.3% for vehicle crime. While these figures are notably lower than national benchmarks, they still represent a tangible risk for homeowners. For residents, this suggests that while the environment is generally secure, maintaining vigilance over personal property and outbuildings remains a prudent measure to deter opportunistic theft.

Swanton Morley Crime Trends

The crime trend in Swanton Morley has shown a notable increase, with a year-over-year rise of 82.9%. This upward trajectory is evident when examining the monthly data for 2025. The year began with relatively stable figures of 4.9 crimes per 1,000 in January and February, followed by a dip to 1.8 in May. However, June saw a significant spike to 6.8, the highest rate of the year, followed by sustained levels of 5.5 through July and August.

The latter part of the year showed more volatility, with a sharp drop to 1.2 in October before rising again to 2.5 in the final two months. While the percentage increase looks substantial, it is important to contextualise this within a small population where a handful of additional incidents can significantly impact the trend. For residents, this suggests a need for continued community engagement and vigilance, particularly during the summer months when crime rates appeared to peak.

How To Keep Safe in Swanton Morley

The most prevalent crime type in Swanton Morley is violence and sexual offences. While the overall numbers are low, taking proactive steps for personal safety is always recommended in any community experiencing an upward trend in reports.

1. Stay aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the darker evening hours, and stick to well-lit routes through the village.
2. Ensure your home is secure by using British Standard locks on all doors and windows, and consider installing a smart doorbell to monitor visitors.
3. If you are involved in or witness anti-social behaviour, which is the second highest crime type here, report it promptly to the local non-emergency line to help police map activity.
4. Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about recent incidents and share safety tips with your fellow residents.
5. Secure outbuildings and sheds, as 'other theft' and criminal damage are present in the local statistics, often targeting unsecured garden equipment.

Crime Timing in Swanton Morley

An analysis of the crime timing in Swanton Morley reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours are characterised by a high proportion of theft-related incidents, which account for 41% of crimes between 6am and 12pm. This trend continues into the afternoon, where theft remains the dominant category at 44%. As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of reported incidents shifts significantly.

During the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order issues—surge to 63% of all reports. Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a diversification of risk, with burglary reaching its peak frequency at 20% and vehicle crime hitting 15%. This suggests that while daytime risks are largely opportunistic and property-focused, the late-night hours require a greater focus on securing vehicles and home perimeters.

When comparing Swanton Morley to its immediate neighbours, it occupies a middle ground in terms of local safety. It is considerably safer than the nearby market town of Dereham, which experiences a much higher crime rate of 84.3 per 1,000 people. Conversely, Swanton Morley has a higher crime frequency than the nearby villages of Beetley and Bawdeswell, both of which recorded zero crimes in the same period. North Elmham also presents a lower crime profile at 29.0 per 1,000. For those considering the region, Swanton Morley remains a very secure choice, though smaller surrounding hamlets offer even lower statistical risks.

With a property crime rate of 11.7 per 1,000, Swanton Morley residents should focus on proactive deterrence rather than reactive monitoring. Traditional security systems often fail because they only record the moment a crime occurs, leaving you with footage of a loss rather than a prevented incident. In an area where crime is trending upwards, the scOS artificial intelligence platform offers a significant advantage. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS can identify suspicious patterns at your property boundary. Before a potential intruder even reaches a door or window, the system can trigger autonomous responses such as activating lighting or audio warnings. This element of surprise is often enough to make a criminal move on. For Swanton Morley homeowners, the goal is to stop the 60-second decision-making process of a burglar by demonstrating that the property is protected by an intelligent, autonomous system that never blinks.