Downham Market Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

October 2025 marked a 12.4% increase in Downham Market's crime rate, rising from 4.1 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Despite this upward trend, the area remains 40.3% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that reflects its historically lower crime profile. The most prevalent categories were violence and sexual offences (45.3% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.2%) and criminal damage and arson (10.9%). These figures align with the seasonal context of October, when shorter days and Halloween activities may contribute to increased incidents of violence and disorder. The area's crime picture also shows significant underperformance compared to the UK in categories like public order (62% below average) and shoplifting (68% below), suggesting local factors that suppress these types of crime. However, the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences—now 21% below the UK average—raises questions about potential shifts in criminal behaviour or policing priorities. The relatively low levels of property crime (30.6% of total incidents) contrast with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, indicating a possible demographic or geographic influence. With only 64 crimes reported across a population of 13,836, the area's crime profile remains characterised by its low overall rates, though the month-on-month volatility in specific categories warrants further analysis.

The most dramatic shift in October 2025 was a 61.1% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 18 to 29 incidents. This surge, though still 21% below the UK average, may partly explain the overall 12.4% monthly rise in crime rates. Vehicle crime and burglary both doubled, jumping from one to two incidents each, a sharp contrast to the 40% decline in shoplifting and the 50% drop in drug-related offences. The category breakdown reveals a starkly different crime mix compared to the UK, with public order offences (62% below average) and shoplifting (68% below) showing particularly large gaps. These patterns suggest a localised focus on violent crime that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween. Residents might find the 23% reduction in other thefts (from 0.5 to 0.4 per 1,000) a positive indicator, though the rise in violence deserves closer attention.

The crime rate in Downham Market rose by 12.4% from 4.1 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents between September and October 2025. This increase, while notable, still places the area 40.3% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of two reported incidents per day in October, a figure that reflects the area's relatively low overall crime profile. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 216 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, the significant underperformance in categories like public order (62% below) and shoplifting (68% below) suggests a unique local context that may be influenced by factors such as community engagement or policing strategies. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the rate has increased, the absolute number of crimes remains modest in a town of 13,836 residents.