Thetford Crime Rate

Thetford's crime statistics for the period of January 2025 to December 2025 show an overall crime rate of 96.5 per 1,000 people. While this is slightly above the UK average of 91.6, the town has seen a significant improvement in its safety profile, with a 10.5% decrease in total crimes year-over-year. Thetford currently holds a safety score of 77/100, which is just below the national average of 79/100. Despite the higher overall rate, property crime in Thetford (27.5 per 1,000) remains lower than the UK average (32.2), indicating that the town's homes and businesses are relatively secure. The clear downward trend in criminal activity is a positive sign for the local community and those considering moving to the area.

In Thetford, the crime landscape is led by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 38.9% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 16.5%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.9%. Overall property crime—including burglary, theft, and vehicle offences—is recorded at 27.5 per 1,000 people. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.2, it remains a significant concern for the local community. Shoplifting (6.3%) and other theft (5.0%) are also notable contributors to the local statistics. For residents, this means that while the town is safer than many urban centres, property security and personal awareness in public spaces are important for maintaining a high level of safety.

Thetford is experiencing a positive trend in its crime statistics, with a 10.5% decrease in total offences over the last year. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents started the year at its highest point in January (9.8) but generally trended downwards, reaching a low of 6.3 in December. There were minor spikes in July (9.4) and August (9.5), which are common during the summer months in urban areas. Overall, the consistent reduction in crime throughout the year suggests that Thetford is becoming a safer town, with the year ending on its lowest recorded crime rate for the period.

How To Keep Safe in Thetford

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Thetford, representing nearly 39% of all reports. To enhance your personal safety in the town, we suggest the following:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when using the town centre at night, sticking to well-lit main roads and avoiding poorly lit alleyways.
2. If you are out in the evening, try to stay with a group and use reputable taxi services for your journey home.
3. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local police; this helps them allocate resources to the areas that need them most.
4. For property owners, ensure that your front and back doors have high-quality deadlocks and that windows are always secured when you are out.
5. Use motion-activated security lighting around your driveway and entrances to increase visibility and deter opportunistic crime after dark.

Crime in Thetford shows clear time-of-day trends. Theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are most prominent during the daylight hours, peaking in the afternoon (12pm - 6pm) at 40% of reports and the morning (6am - 12pm) at 36%. These periods align with peak retail and commercial activity in the town. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts; evening hours (6pm - 12am) see the highest concentration of 'other' crimes, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences, at 66%. Night-time (12am - 6am) is the peak period for vehicle crime, which accounts for 30% of offences in that window, while burglary remains a consistent risk during both the afternoon and night.

In the local context, Thetford acts as a primary urban centre, which is reflected in its higher crime rate compared to its immediate neighbours. It has a rate of 96.5 per 1,000, while nearby Brandon in West Suffolk recorded 77.7 per 1,000. Other very small surrounding settlements such as Barnham, Fakenham Magna, and Longfield Green reported zero crimes during this period, likely due to their small populations and rural nature. While Thetford has more recorded activity than these smaller villages, its recent 10.5% decrease in crime demonstrates a positive shift in safety compared to other urban hubs in the region.

With a property crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000, Thetford residents should consider the benefits of advanced home security. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they provide you with a recording of your burglary after it has happened. For those who want to prevent crime, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered solution. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS can identify potential threats at your property line before a break-in occurs. Its autonomous response system can activate lights and speakers to deter intruders, making them move on before they even reach your door. In a town like Thetford, where vehicle crime and burglary are present, a professional-grade system that signals serious protection is a powerful deterrent. Choosing scOS means investing in a system that prevents crime rather than just documenting it.