Broadland Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a district of 138,157 residents, 469 crimes were reported in August 2024, translating to a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is 58.5% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a stark contrast that highlights Broadland’s relatively low levels of criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.6% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.6%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). These patterns are consistent with the district’s seasonal context: August is a peak holiday month, with increased tourism and the temporary absence of residents from their homes, factors that may influence both the types and frequency of crimes. The prominence of violent offences suggests that areas with high foot traffic, such as town centres or popular tourist spots, may be contributing to this category. However, the sharp decline in property crimes—particularly burglary and vehicle crime—compared to the UK average indicates that local measures or environmental factors may be deterring such offences. The overall rate remains well below the national benchmark, a trend that could be attributed to a combination of effective policing, community engagement, and the district’s character as a place where public spaces are frequently monitored or where transient populations do not contribute to crime. August’s data also reveals a combination of seasonal shifts and local dynamics, with the rise in shoplifting and theft from the person linked to the influx of visitors and the associated increase in opportunities for opportunistic crimes.

August saw sharp increases in shoplifting, which rose by 72.2% (from 18 to 31 incidents), a trend that may be linked to the peak of the summer tourist season and the presence of more visitors in local retail areas. Theft from the person also surged, doubling from one to two incidents—a small but notable jump that could reflect heightened vulnerability during holiday periods. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 32.8% (from 64 to 43), due to fewer residents being at home during August, a common pattern in areas with seasonal population shifts. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 42.6% of all crimes, a rate 44% below the UK average. This suggests that while violent crime is a persistent concern, local factors—such as community policing or demographic characteristics—may contribute to its lower-than-average prevalence. For residents, the drop in property-related crimes like vehicle crime (up 25%) and burglary (no change) offers some reassurance, though the rise in shoplifting warrants attention from local retailers.

Broadland’s crime rate in August 2024 fell by 11.0% compared to July, dropping from 3.8 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the area over the summer months, though August’s figures remain significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, 15 crimes were reported across the district, a figure that translates to roughly one incident for every 295 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low risk of crime in Broadland compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to the area’s population of 138,157, the 469 reported crimes highlight a manageable level of criminal activity, particularly given the district’s seasonal dynamics. For residents, this means that while crime is not absent, its frequency remains far below what would be expected in a more densely populated or high-risk region. The combination of local policing efforts and the natural ebb and flow of August’s tourism season may contribute to this sustained low rate, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such a connection.