Broadland Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 138,157 residents, Broadland recorded 459 crimes in August 2023, translating to a crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 people—59.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This places Broadland significantly among the safer areas in the country, though the data reveals a complex picture of crime distribution. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 46.4% of all reported incidents (213 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (11.3%) and criminal damage and arson (10.7%). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal and property-related issues, consistent with patterns seen in medium-sized urban areas where community tensions and property vulnerabilities often intersect. Seasonal factors may also play a role: August, a peak holiday month, typically sees increased tourism and empty homes, which could contribute to burglary risks. However, the overall crime rate remains far below national averages, indicating effective local policing or community engagement strategies. Violent crime rates in Broadland (1.5 per 1,000) are 43% below the UK average for this category, a gap that may reflect lower levels of gang activity or stronger social cohesion. The area's relatively low property crime rate (3.3% of total crimes) compared to the UK average also suggests robust security measures or fewer high-value targets in residential zones.

August 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons increased by 150% (from 4 to 10 cases), a sharp rise that could signal shifts in local criminal activity or increased police visibility. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 53.3% (from 15 to 7 cases), possibly linked to reduced summer traffic or heightened parking security measures. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 38.8% (from 85 to 52 cases), a trend that may reflect successful community interventions or the impact of seasonal changes on public spaces. Meanwhile, violent crime decreased by 6.6% (from 228 to 213 cases), though it still remains the most prevalent category. Broadland's performance against UK averages reveals stark contrasts: violence and sexual offences are 43% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour is 72% below. However, possession of weapons is 43% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000), a figure that deserves closer attention. For residents, the most immediate insight is the 59.3% gap in overall crime rates compared to the UK, which suggests Broadland's policing or community structures are performing well despite the presence of specific risks like weapon possession.

Broadland's crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 in August 2023 represents a 2.9% decrease from July's rate of 3.4 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 15 crimes per day—a figure that, while low, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 301 residents highlights the rarity of incidents in a community of 138,157 people. This compares favourably to many UK areas, where the national average would imply a much higher frequency. The relatively low daily crime count aligns with Broadland's status as a safer local authority, though the 15-crime-per-day figure is still meaningful for residents. For context, this equates to roughly one crime occurring every 2.5 hours across the district, a statistic that may feel more tangible when considering local landmarks or community hubs. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Broadland's crime prevention efforts are likely effective, given the disparity between its rates and the UK average. However, the 43% above-average rate for possession of weapons suggests targeted challenges that may require focused interventions. These comparisons illustrate both the strengths and specific vulnerabilities of Broadland's crime profile.