Broadland Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violent crimes dominated Broadland’s crime profile in April 2023, accounting for 50.4% of all reported incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average where violent crimes make up around 34.7% of total crimes. At 3.7 per 1,000 residents, Broadland’s overall crime rate was 50.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, highlighting a consistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels in the area. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (256 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (50 cases) and criminal damage and arson (49 cases). This pattern may partly explain the area’s comparatively low crime rate, as property-related offences such as burglary (20 cases) and vehicle crime (14 cases) were significantly below UK averages. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter celebrations, milder spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—likely contributed to higher reports of violent crimes, particularly in public spaces. However, the absence of major spikes in property crime, such as shoplifting (22 cases) and burglary (20 cases), suggests that local factors, including community policing efforts or demographic characteristics, may play a role in maintaining this lower rate. The data also reveals a sharp decline in vehicle crime, which fell by 48.1% compared to March 2023, reflecting reduced traffic during the Easter holiday period.

April 2023 saw a 300% increase in burglary cases, rising from 5 to 20, marking one of the most significant month-on-month jumps in the dataset. Robbery and theft from the person also saw 100% increases, with the latter moving from zero to one reported incident. These rises contrast sharply with notable declines in other categories, including a 48.1% drop in vehicle crime (from 27 to 14 cases) and a 38.5% reduction in 'other crime' (from 13 to 8 cases). Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, but their rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents was 27% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.4 per 1,000, was 66% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives or community engagement efforts may be effective in curbing such incidents. The sharp increase in burglary, however, raises questions about potential vulnerabilities in residential areas during the Easter period, when homes may be temporarily unoccupied. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or during extended holiday absences.

Broadland’s crime rate in April 2023 (3.7 per 1,000 residents) was marginally higher than the previous month’s rate (3.6 per 1,000), reflecting a 1.1% increase—a change deemed stable by statistical measures. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 17 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for consistent monitoring. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 272 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. With a population of 138,157, Broadland’s crime statistics place it in a category of areas with lower-than-average crime density. This is particularly evident in property-related offences, where rates for burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) were 67% and 78% below UK averages, respectively. The local context—characterised by a mix of urban and semi-rural areas, with a focus on community-driven policing—may contribute to this trend. While the slight rise in violent crimes could be linked to seasonal factors such as increased socialising during Easter, the overall trajectory of Broadland’s crime profile remains one of relative safety compared to the UK as a whole.