Broadland Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Broadland’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 2.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 57.6% below the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. This marked a significant deviation from the typical post-holiday crime patterns, which usually see a spike in retail-related thefts and public order offences. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.4% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.4%) and criminal damage and arson (10.1%). These figures align with the area’s seasonal context, as January’s reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours likely contributed to fewer outdoor crimes and a shift in focus toward more localized disputes. The sharp contrast between Broadland’s crime profile and the UK average—particularly in violent crime and anti-social behaviour—suggests a unique socio-economic dynamic, possibly influenced by the district’s mixed urban-rural character, where community policing efforts and local initiatives may have mitigated certain types of crime. Despite the overall low rate, the persistence of violence and sexual offences highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in January 2026 was the 100% increase in robbery cases, rising from zero to one incident. This spike, while statistically significant, remains an outlier given the district’s historically low rates for this category. Concurrently, burglary also surged by 100%, doubling from 10 to 20 incidents—a sharp contrast to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, which Broadland’s rate of 0.1 per 1,000 now matches. Shoplifting followed with a 35% increase, climbing from 20 to 27 cases, though this remains well below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. The decline in public order offences—down 59% from 39 to 16 cases—suggests a possible reduction in alcohol-related incidents or improved enforcement during January’s shorter evenings. Meanwhile, possession of weapons fell by 88.9% (from nine to one case), and theft from the person dropped by 50% (from two to one), indicating a broader trend of reduced petty crime. These shifts, while notable, must be contextualized within the post-holiday lull, where reduced foot traffic in retail areas may have curtailed opportunities for shoplifting and theft, but left other crimes, such as burglary, unimpeded by seasonal deterrents.

Broadland’s crime rate in January 2026 (2.8 per 1,000) represented a 14.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.3 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent downward trend over recent months. On a daily basis, the district recorded an average of 13 crimes per day, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 356 residents. This figure, while illustrative of the district’s overall safety, must be compared to the UK’s broader context, where the average resident faces a far higher risk—6.6 per 1,000. Broadland’s population of 138,157 further contextualizes these numbers: the 388 total crimes reported in January equate to a minuscule fraction of the district’s population, underscoring the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies. However, the stark disparity between Broadland’s rates and the UK average—particularly in violent crime and anti-social behaviour—suggests that the district’s unique socio-economic and geographic profile plays a critical role. For instance, the absence of major retail hubs or high-density urban areas may reduce opportunities for certain crimes, while community cohesion and targeted policing efforts could explain the sustained low rates. These factors collectively illustrate a district that, despite its relatively low crime rates, remains vigilant in addressing emerging challenges such as the recent spikes in robbery and burglary.