Broadland Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Broadland during December 2024 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating the landscape. At 3.0 per 1,000 residents, Broadland's overall crime rate is 57.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a gap that underscores the area's relatively low level of criminal activity compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 48.7% of all crimes, significantly outpacing other categories, while property crimes made up 29.5% of the total. This imbalance may partly explain the area's unique crime mix, as violent incidents often reflect social dynamics such as seasonal gatherings or heightened tensions during the holiday period. The dominance of violence contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically contribute more heavily to the overall rate. Anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, and shoplifting all recorded rates far below the UK average, suggesting a lower prevalence of these issues in Broadland. However, the 'other crime' category, though small in volume, was 25% above the UK average, hinting at potential niche issues requiring further attention. December's seasonal context—marked by dark evenings, Christmas shopping, and empty homes over holidays—may have influenced the crime mix, with violence rising due to increased social interactions or alcohol-related incidents. This pattern aligns with broader trends observed in similar urban centres, where seasonal factors can amplify certain types of crime.

December 2024 saw dramatic shifts in Broadland's crime mix, with vehicle crime surging by 533.3% (from 3 to 19 incidents) and robbery doubling from zero to two cases. These increases, though small in absolute terms, signal potential vulnerabilities in vehicle security or targeted opportunities during the holiday season. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 37% (from 27 to 17), possibly linked to reduced public events or heightened policing efforts during the festive period. The crime mix also revealed stark UK comparisons: violence and sexual offences in Broadland (1.5 per 1,000) were 41% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), while shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) was 65% below the national rate (0.6 per 1,000). This suggests that Broadland's residents may benefit from effective community policing or local initiatives targeting retail crime. However, the 'other crime' category (0.2 per 1,000) was 25% above the UK average (0.2 per 1,000), a subtle but notable anomaly that could indicate unaddressed issues in less common offence types. For residents, the sharp rise in vehicle crime offers a practical warning: securing vehicles during the holidays may be more critical than usual. This data point, though small, directly impacts daily life and could inform local safety advice.

Broadland's December 2024 crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents marked a 4.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent trend towards lower crime levels. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for every 335 residents, a figure that translates to a manageable frequency for a population of 138,157. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 13 crimes per day, a rate that remains well below the UK average when scaled to Broadland's population. This daily context highlights the area's effectiveness in maintaining public safety despite the holiday season's usual challenges. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates that Broadland's residents face a crime risk significantly lower than the national average, with the area's violent crime rate (1.5 per 1,000) being 41% below the UK's 2.6 per 1,000. This comparison underscores the success of local policing strategies or community engagement efforts in mitigating crime. However, the slight month-on-month decline must be viewed cautiously, as December's unique factors—such as the presence of empty homes during holidays—could have temporarily suppressed certain crime types. For residents, these figures reinforce that Broadland remains a relatively safe place to live, even during the busiest and most unpredictable month of the year.