Downham Market Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

June 2023 presented an unexpected anomaly in Downham Market’s crime profile: a 300% surge in burglary rates, the most dramatic shift in the area’s monthly statistics. While the overall crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents remained 52.9% below the UK average of 8.5, this sharp increase in property crime stands out against the usual pattern of stability. The top crime types in June were violence and sexual offences (30.9% of total incidents), anti-social behaviour (21.8%), and criminal damage and arson (12.7%), with the latter two categories both showing significant reductions compared to the UK average. This contrast may be partly explained by the area’s rural-adjacent character, where anti-social behaviour and vandalism are less common than in densely populated urban centres. Seasonal factors also played a role: as June marks the beginning of the summer, longer daylight hours and the gradual onset of tourism in nearby coastal areas may have influenced patterns of criminal activity. However, the spike in burglary defies immediate explanation, as no large-scale events or demographic shifts were reported in the data. This anomaly underscores the need for targeted local analysis, particularly around property crime, which may be linked to factors such as increased foot traffic during summer or changes in local security measures. The overall picture remains one of relative safety, but the sudden rise in burglary highlights the importance of monitoring emerging trends even in low-crime areas.

Burglary rates in June 2023 surged by 300%, jumping from 1 to 4 incidents, marking the most unexpected rise in the area. This sharp increase contrasts with the overall trend of being 52.9% below the UK average, raising questions about local vulnerabilities. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson incidents rose by 250%, from 2 to 7, a jump that may reflect seasonal factors such as the start of summer, when open spaces and longer evenings could contribute to increased vandalism. Shoplifting also saw a 200% increase, from 1 to 3, though this remains significantly below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. Meanwhile, public order offences fell by 50%, from 4 to 2, a decline that aligns with the area’s generally low levels of such incidents. These shifts highlight a combination of property crime surges and reductions in other categories, suggesting that local conditions—such as summer tourism or community patrols—may be influencing specific crime types more than others.

June 2023 saw a 30.9% increase in Downham Market’s crime rate compared to May, rising from 3.0 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This shift, though still well below the UK average, highlights a seasonal uptick in activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 13,836. Over the course of June, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 252 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When contextualised against the UK average, Downham Market’s overall crime rate remains 52.9% below the national figure, a gap that has widened slightly from previous months. This contrast may be attributed to the area’s rural-adjacent character, where community cohesion and lower population density typically correlate with reduced crime rates. However, the increase in specific categories like burglary and criminal damage suggests localised pressures that warrant closer attention to patterns rather than broad assumptions about safety.