Downham Market Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Downham Market’s crime profile in November 2023, accounting for 42.3% of the 71 reported incidents—a rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents, 15% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category’s prominence may be partly explained by the area’s character as a built-up market town, where social interactions in public spaces, combined with the seasonal impact of shorter evenings and events like Bonfire Night, could contribute to higher rates of violent incidents. The second most common crime was criminal damage and arson, which occurred at a rate of 0.8 per 1,000, 36% above the UK average, reflecting the increased use of open spaces or the heightened visibility of anti-social behaviour during colder months. Public order offences followed closely, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000, 32% above the UK average, suggesting that the combination of seasonal events and the town’s market-oriented infrastructure may create environments conducive to such incidents. The overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000—32% below the UK average—underscores the relative safety of Downham Market compared to the national picture, though the month’s data reveals a nuanced picture where certain crime types, such as anti-social behaviour and burglary, show marked deviations from the UK norm. These trends highlight the importance of contextualising local crime patterns within both the area’s demographic and seasonal rhythms, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the community.

November 2023 witnessed a striking 500% surge in other theft, rising from one to six incidents, a change that may reflect the timing of Black Friday shopping and the associated increase in retail activity. Concurrently, burglary saw a 100% increase, with two incidents reported compared to none in the previous month, potentially linked to the seasonal shift in property use or the impact of colder weather on outdoor spaces. In contrast, vehicle crime dropped by 75%, from four to one incident, due to reduced traffic or the closure of certain areas during the month. The breakdown of crimes shows that violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, contributing 42.3% of the total, while anti-social behaviour was 43% below the UK average. These figures highlight a combination of local factors, such as the influence of November’s events on public order, and the relative safety of Downham Market compared to national trends in specific crime categories.

November 2023 saw a 44.9% increase in Downham Market’s crime rate compared to the previous month, rising from 3.5 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This shift aligns with the seasonal rhythms of November, a time marked by shorter evenings and events like Bonfire Night, which may increase opportunities for public order incidents or anti-social behaviour. Locally, the daily crime count averaged two incidents per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the concentrated nature of reported crimes in a built-up area with a population of 13,836. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 195 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the community. When compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, Downham Market remains significantly safer, but the month-on-month rise suggests a need to monitor trends in specific crime types, such as the sharp increase in other theft and burglary. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the overall rate is low, the concentration of certain crimes—particularly violent offences—may warrant closer attention to local factors, such as the impact of seasonal events on public spaces.