Aylsham Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Aylsham's March 2024 crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 stands 18.2% below the UK average of 7.7, reflecting a safer profile compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.2%) and criminal damage and arson (12.8%). This pattern contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences are 16% lower, and public order offences are 44% higher. The seasonal transition to spring may have influenced these dynamics, as longer evenings and the clocks changing could have altered local activity patterns. Aylsham's violent crime rate (3.1 per 1,000) exceeds the UK average for this category, suggesting localized factors—such as community tensions or specific incident clusters—may be at play. Conversely, public order offences were significantly lower (44% below UK levels), reflecting the area's character as a smaller, more tightly knit built-up area with fewer public spaces prone to disorder. The data also highlights sharp spikes in property-related crimes, including a 400% increase in shoplifting and a 500% rise in criminal damage and arson, which may be linked to seasonal factors like increased foot traffic or changes in local events.

March 2024 saw a dramatic surge in criminal damage and arson, with incidents rising 500% from one to six—a stark anomaly. Shoplifting also spiked by 400%, jumping from one to five incidents, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in retail security during the spring transition. Meanwhile, drugs-related crimes fell by 50%, from two to one, a decline that may reflect seasonal shifts in activity. The crime mix reveals a striking contrast: violent crimes (23) now account for 48.9% of total incidents, compared to property crimes (12), a shift that diverges from the UK average. Public order offences in Aylsham were 44% below the UK average, indicating a lower prevalence of disturbances compared to the national trend. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted strategies addressing the specific rise in property-related crimes.

Aylsham's crime rate in March 2024 rose 67.9% compared to February's 3.8 per 1,000, marking a notable shift despite remaining 18.2% below the UK average. This increase occurred against a backdrop of 47 reported crimes over 31 days, translating to roughly two incidents daily. For residents, this equates to a 1-in-158 chance of experiencing a crime over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the local impact of criminal activity. While the overall rate remains lower than the UK's 7.7 per 1,000, the rise in specific categories like criminal damage and arson—now 38% above the UK average—suggests evolving challenges. The population context, with 7,424 residents, further highlights the need to interpret rates alongside community-specific factors, such as seasonal changes affecting local activity patterns.