Watton Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Watton

Watton presents a favourable crime rate of 54.5 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to an excellent safety score of 86 out of 100, well above the national average of 78. Over the past year, Watton has experienced a positive decreasing trend in crime, with a notable reduction of 15.8%. This introduction offers a concise overview of Watton's safety profile, providing a foundation for a more detailed examination of specific crime types, trends, and temporal patterns within the town.

Crime Breakdown in Watton

In Watton, Violence and sexual offences represent the most common crime type, with 378 incidents, equating to 29.4 per 1,000 people and constituting 53.9% of all crimes. Anti-social behaviour follows with 75 crimes (5.8 per 1,000, 10.7%), and Criminal damage and arson accounts for 59 incidents (4.6 per 1,000, 8.4%). Property-related crimes, including burglary, other theft, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting, bicycle theft, robbery, and theft from the person, collectively stand at a rate of 11.2 per 1,000 people. This figure is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these statistics highlight a comparatively lower risk of property-related offences, though general security awareness remains prudent.

Crime Trends in Watton

Watton has experienced a significant positive trend in crime reduction, with an impressive decrease of 15.8% year-over-year. The monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents shows some fluctuations, with October 2024 at 5.6, dropping to 3.5 in December 2024. The rate then rose to 4.4 in January and February 2025, before generally settling between 3.6 and 4.7 through the spring and summer, with a brief increase to 5.8 in July 2025. The most recent data for September 2025 indicates a rate of 3.9. This consistent decreasing trend, despite minor monthly variations, suggests an improving safety environment in Watton, which is encouraging for residents.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Watton

Crime patterns in Watton show clear variations across different times of the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most common at 44%, with 'other' crimes also significant at 39%, reflecting activity during daily routines. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain high at 48%, while 'other' crimes account for 34%, likely influenced by peak commercial and social interactions. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes become the dominant category at 60%, with theft at 18%, suggesting a shift towards public order or social issues. Finally, the night hours (12am-6am) show vehicle crime peaking at 27% and 'other' crimes at 47%, indicating increased vulnerability for unattended vehicles and properties during quieter times.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Comparing Watton's crime statistics with its neighbouring areas provides valuable local context. Watton, with an overall crime rate of 54.5 per 1,000, generally maintains a favourable position compared to nearby rural settlements such as Saham Toney, Griston, Carbrooke, and Thompson. Its crime rate is often lower, contributing to its higher safety score within the immediate vicinity. This comparison highlights Watton's relative tranquility and safety within the broader Breckland district, offering residents a clear understanding of its position in the regional crime landscape.

Protecting Your Home in Watton

Given Watton's notably low property crime rate of 11.2 per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the national average, it's still wise for residents to consider robust home security measures. While traditional surveillance systems like Ring and Nest cameras primarily record incidents, they do not actively prevent crime from occurring. Similarly, many DIY alarms only alert you once an intruder is already on your property. For those seeking advanced protection, AI-powered solutions like scOS offer a proactive approach, designed to stop crime before it happens.

scOS provides comprehensive, real-time threat detection at your property's perimeter, leveraging multi-camera intelligence to cover all vulnerable points. It intelligently learns normal routines to minimise false alarms, focusing on genuine threats. By activating lights and engaging speakers, scOS creates an immediate and undeniable deterrent, disrupting a burglar's crucial 60-second decision window. This professional-grade, preventative security offers a superior level of protection compared to reactive recording, ensuring greater peace of mind for homeowners in Watton.