Rural Broadland Crime Rate

Crime in Rural Broadland

Rural Broadland is an exceptionally safe region with an overall crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area a high safety score of 93/100. The crime trend in Rural Broadland is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 4.9%. This consistency suggests a well-protected and peaceful community. With a population of 11,379, the area manages to maintain low levels of serious crime, although personal safety and property security remain important considerations. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types and temporal patterns to help residents understand their local safety environment.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Broadland

Rural Broadland is an exceptionally safe area where the primary crime type is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.5% of all incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.9% and 'other theft' at 8.8%. Criminal damage and arson also represent a notable portion of the total at 8.2%.

Property-related crime in Rural Broadland—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—is very low at 7.7 per 1,000 residents. Burglary accounts for 6.7% of total crime, while vehicle crime is even lower at 2.1%. For a rural area with a population of over 11,000, these figures indicate a high level of security. However, the prevalence of burglary and theft suggests that while the overall risk is low, homeowners should remain vigilant about securing their properties, particularly outbuildings and vehicles, which can be vulnerable in more isolated rural settings.

Crime Trends in Rural Broadland

The crime trend in Rural Broadland is currently stable, with a modest year-over-year decrease of 4.9%. This suggests that the area is maintaining its reputation as a safe and secure place to live. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a remarkably consistent crime rate, with figures typically staying between 2.1 and 2.8 per 1,000 residents.

There are no major spikes or significant seasonal variations in the data, which indicates a predictable and well-managed security environment. The period ended with a rate of 2.8 in November, which is slightly higher than the average but still very low by national standards. This stability is a positive sign for residents, as it suggests that crime is not only low but is also not experiencing the volatile shifts seen in some other areas. Overall, the long-term outlook for safety in Rural Broadland remains excellent.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Broadland

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Rural Broadland. Although the area is very safe, it is important to take sensible steps to maintain your personal safety, especially in more rural or isolated locations.

1. When walking or exercising outdoors, especially during the evening or night, try to stay on well-lit paths and be aware of your surroundings.
2. If you live in an isolated property, ensure your exterior lighting is effective. Motion-sensor lights are particularly useful for illuminating large areas and deterring uninvited visitors.
3. Keep all outbuildings, garages, and sheds securely locked with high-quality padlocks. Rural properties often have valuable equipment stored outside the main house that can be a target for 'other theft'.
4. Join or start a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. In rural areas, community vigilance is one of the most effective ways to deter crime and share information about suspicious vehicles or activity.
5. Ensure your home's entry points are secure. Even in low-crime areas, locking doors and windows when you are away or asleep is a fundamental safety practice.

Rural Broadland Time-Based Crime Analysis

Crime in Rural Broadland follows a distinct temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 55% and 52% of reports respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most common when people are active or away from their homes during the day.

As night falls, the risk profile shifts significantly toward burglary. Between 6pm and 12am, burglary accounts for 31% of crimes, and this rises to 42% between 12am and 6am. Vehicle crime also sees its highest percentage (10%) during the night hours. This data clearly shows that while the day is prone to theft, the night is the period of highest risk for home and vehicle security. Residents should ensure that their most robust security measures are active during these hours of darkness to mitigate the risk of burglary.

Nearby Area Comparison

Rural Broadland is part of a wider local authority known for its safety. Its crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 is typical for the more rural parts of the district and is substantially lower than many urban centres in the region. While specific nearby village data varies, Rural Broadland's overall profile is one of high security and low incident volume. For those seeking a residential area that offers the peace of the countryside with a proven track record of safety, Rural Broadland is an excellent choice that compares very favourably to both regional and national averages.

Proactive Security for Rural Broadland

In a safe area like Rural Broadland, where the property crime rate is only 7.7 per 1,000, it can be easy to overlook home security. However, the fact that burglary makes up 6.7% of total crime—and peaks during the night—highlights a specific vulnerability for rural homeowners.

Traditional security systems are often reactive, recording a crime as it happens but doing little to stop it. For rural properties, which may be more isolated, this is a significant drawback. scOS offers a proactive alternative. It is an AI-powered operating system that monitors your property's boundary in real-time. By identifying suspicious activity before a break-in occurs, scOS can trigger autonomous responses like activating lights or sounding a warning. This proactive deterrence is crucial in rural settings where the element of surprise is a burglar's greatest asset. By choosing scOS, you are investing in a system that prevents crime rather than just documenting it, ensuring your home remains as safe as the surrounding countryside.