Aylsham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Aylsham's crime rate in May 2023 stood at 4.6 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This places the area 42.5% below the national benchmark, a consistent pattern observed across multiple categories. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.2% of all crimes (14 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (35.3%, 12 incidents) and criminal damage and arson (11.8%, 4 incidents). The distribution of crime types reflects the area's character as a small built-up community within Broadland, where localised social dynamics and seasonal factors influence reporting patterns. May's extended evenings and bank holidays likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may have influenced the types of incidents recorded. While violent crime remains the most common category, the proportion of property-related crimes is low compared to the UK average. The data suggests a community where personal safety concerns are more prominent than property crime, due to the area's compact nature and limited commercial density. This trend is consistent with other small towns in similar geographical contexts, where community cohesion and local policing efforts appear to mitigate certain crime types. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer daylight hours and social events—may have also played a role in shaping the crime profile.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 500% increase in anti-social behaviour, which rose from 2 incidents in April to 12 in May. This surge, combined with a 300% rise in criminal damage and arson (from 1 to 4 incidents), indicates a significant shift in local crime patterns. Anti-social behaviour now constitutes 35.3% of all recorded crimes, a notable increase compared to the previous month. While violent crime remains the largest category (41.2%), its rate (1.9 per 1,000) is 32% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000). Conversely, anti-social behaviour in Aylsham is 20% higher than the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), highlighting a localised challenge. Vehicle crime, at 0.1 per 1,000, is 78% below the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a trend consistent with the area's limited road infrastructure and lower traffic density. Residents may find the 100% increase in 'other crime' (from 0 to 1 incident) particularly noteworthy, as it suggests emerging issues that warrant further local monitoring. These shifts underscore the need for targeted community engagement strategies, particularly in addressing anti-social behaviour during periods of increased public activity.

Aylsham's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 41.8% compared to April, moving from 3.2 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while significant, still leaves the area well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 in 218 residents. This rate is lower than the average for similar-sized communities, reflecting Aylsham's relatively low crime environment despite the recent uptick. When scaled to the population of 7,424, the 34 total crimes reported in May represent a manageable proportion of the community, with most residents unlikely to encounter crime directly. The comparison to the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies, though the recent increases in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage suggest areas for improvement. The 41.8% month-on-month rise, while concerning, remains within the context of a community that consistently records crime rates well below national benchmarks. This contrast highlights the importance of maintaining local initiatives that have contributed to Aylsham's historically lower crime profile, even as new challenges emerge in specific categories.