Downham Market Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Downham Market, 4.3 crimes were reported in April 2024, placing the area 44.2% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly 2 crimes per day for local residents, with the most common incidents falling into three categories: violence and sexual offences (23.3% of total), anti-social behaviour (20.0%), and other theft (11.7%). The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter celebrations and spring weather—likely contributes to the mix of crime types observed. Violence and sexual offences, though the most frequent category, were 61% below the UK average, suggesting a generally safer environment for personal safety compared to national trends. Anti-social behaviour also showed a notable gap, being 26% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area’s community-focused character or effective local policing efforts. Other theft, while rising in absolute terms, remained 11% below the UK average, indicating that while retail crime is present, it is not high in this built-up area. The relatively low levels of property crime, particularly vehicle crime (79% below UK average) and burglary (38% below UK average), may be attributed to the area’s compact size and lower density compared to larger urban centres. As spring activities intensify, the crime profile in April suggests a balance between community safety and the challenges of increased public space usage.

April 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with other theft cases surging by 250% compared to March, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This sharp increase aligns with the Easter period, when retail activity and foot traffic in Downham Market’s high streets may have created opportunities for opportunistic theft. Similarly, shoplifting cases jumped 150% (from 2 to 5), potentially linked to seasonal shopping patterns. In contrast, violence and sexual offences decreased by 46.2% (from 26 to 14), a drop that could reflect the quieter nature of Easter weekends or the impact of local initiatives targeting public safety. Criminal damage and arson also fell by 44.4% (from 9 to 5), due to seasonal factors or improved community engagement. Other crime—ranging from minor incidents to unclassified offences—rose by 100%, a category that is 25% above the UK average. This anomaly may require closer scrutiny to understand its composition. For residents, the 150% increase in shoplifting highlights the need for vigilance in retail areas during peak shopping periods, while the overall trend of declining violent crime offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for personal safety in the area.

The crime rate in Downham Market for April 2024 (4.3 per 1,000 residents) represents a 7.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.1, though it remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, this translates to one reported crime for every 231 residents—a figure that, while measurable, suggests a relatively low level of exposure compared to larger urban areas. On a daily basis, the area experiences approximately 2 crimes per day, a rate that is significantly lower than the UK’s average daily crime rate. This daily figure, however, should be contextualised within Downham Market’s specific environment: as a compact built-up area with a population of 13,836, the crime density is naturally lower than in densely populated cities. The 1-in-231 resident figure provides a tangible perspective for locals, illustrating that while crime is not absent, it is not a daily occurrence for most residents. This contrasts sharply with the UK average, where the equivalent figure would be far lower, highlighting the area’s unique position in the national crime profile. The relatively low crime exposure, combined with the area’s seasonal dynamics, underscores the importance of understanding local patterns rather than relying solely on national comparisons.