Downham Market Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2024, Downham Market recorded 88 crimes across its population of 13,836 residents, translating to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 people. This rate is 23.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a consistent pattern that suggests the area's crime profile differs from national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.5% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (26.1%) and criminal damage and arson (15.9%). The seasonal context of May—characterised by bank holidays and extended evenings—may have influenced these figures, as increased socialising and outdoor activity could contribute to higher rates of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson (up 180% from April) stands out as an anomaly, linked to specific local factors such as community tensions or property-related disputes. While the overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, the significant increase in violent crime compared to previous months raises questions about underlying dynamics. The area's relatively low burglary and shoplifting rates (68% and 84% below UK averages, respectively) suggest that property crimes are not a dominant concern, contrasting with the prominence of violent and anti-social offences. This profile aligns with the characteristics of a smaller built-up area within a rural district, where community interactions and local issues may play a more pronounced role in shaping crime trends than in larger urban centres.

May 2024 saw a sharp increase in violent crime, with violence and sexual offences rising by 135.7% to 33 incidents. This surge, coupled with an 180% jump in criminal damage and arson (from 5 to 14 cases), suggests a notable shift in crime patterns. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common category, accounting for 26.1% of all crimes. Shoplifting fell by 60% (from 5 to 2 cases), a decline that may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic during bank holidays. Vehicle crime also doubled, though it remained well below the UK average. These changes highlight a combination of local dynamics and broader trends, with violent crime's sharp rise contrasting with the continued decline in property-related offences. Residents may find the 83% drop in other theft particularly reassuring, as it indicates a potential reduction in opportunistic crimes.

Downham Market's crime rate in May 2024 rose by 46.5% compared to the previous month, climbing from 4.3 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though significant, still places the area 23.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day, a figure that may help residents contextualise local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 157 residents, a ratio that suggests a relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. When scaled to the population of 13,836, this monthly exposure translates to a manageable number of incidents, though the rise from April deserves closer attention to emerging patterns. The population context also highlights that even with the increase, the area remains safer than the national average, a contrast that may reflect local factors such as community engagement or policing strategies.