Broadland Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Broadland's overall crime rate in January 2026 stood at 2.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 58.8% below the UK average of 6.8. This stark contrast highlights the area's generally lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.4%) and criminal damage and arson (10.1%). These figures align with the area's seasonal dynamics: January, a post-holiday month marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, often sees a dip in outdoor crimes. The low rate of property crimes—particularly shoplifting, burglary, and vehicle crime—suggests that local retail environments and community policing efforts may be effective in deterring such offences. However, the seasonal context also means that crime patterns may shift as the year progresses, with potential increases in daylight hours and economic activity during the spring months. The relatively low incidence of violent crime compared to the UK average could reflect the area's demographic composition, including a mix of residential and commercial zones with limited nightlife activity. Nonetheless, the data underscores the need for continued vigilance, particularly in addressing the spikes in specific categories, such as the 100% increase in robbery rates, which will be explored in the highlights section.

January 2026 saw the most dramatic month-on-month change in robbery, which surged by 100% (from zero to one incident). This spike, while statistically significant, may be an anomaly given the low base rate. Concurrently, burglary rates doubled from 10 to 20 cases, a 100% increase, which could signal heightened activity in residential areas during the post-holiday period. Shoplifting also rose by 35%, climbing from 20 to 27 incidents, linked to seasonal retail patterns or changes in store security measures. In contrast, possession of weapons fell by 88.9% (from nine to one), a marked decrease that may reflect effective policing or reduced opportunities for such crimes during colder months. Public order offences dropped by 59%, from 39 to 16, due to reduced social gatherings in January. Theft from the person also fell by 50%, from two to one incident, which could be attributed to lower foot traffic in public spaces. Broadland's violence and sexual offences rate of 1.3 per 1,000 residents is 48% below the UK average of 2.5, indicating a safer environment for residents. Similarly, anti-social behaviour (0.4 per 1,000) is 57% below the UK average of 0.9, suggesting that community cohesion and local initiatives may be contributing to this trend. These findings highlight both areas of concern and success, requiring targeted strategies to address emerging risks while maintaining the gains in other categories.

Broadland's crime rate in January 2026 (2.8 per 1,000) marked a 14.6% decline from the previous month's rate of 3.3, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 13 crimes per day, a figure that, while manageable, underscores the need for consistent monitoring. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 356 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable UK areas. With a population of 138,157, this translates to a relatively low burden on local services and community safety networks. The comparison to the UK average further illustrates Broadland's position as a low-crime area, with its overall rate nearly half that of the national benchmark. However, the 100% increase in robbery and burglary rates highlights the importance of addressing these specific spikes, even within an otherwise stable environment. For residents, the 1-in-356 monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of the area's safety, though it is essential to remain vigilant about the recent upward trends in certain categories. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Broadland's crime prevention strategies, including community engagement and targeted policing, have likely contributed to its sustained low crime levels despite the monthly fluctuations.