Hunstanton Crime Rate

Hunstanton is a popular and safe seaside town, boasting an overall crime rate of 58.2 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.6, contributing to a strong safety score of 85/100. Furthermore, the town is seeing a significant positive trend, with crime levels decreasing by 12.5% year-over-year. This downward trajectory suggests that Hunstanton is becoming increasingly secure for both its local population and its many seasonal visitors. While the town’s resort status brings specific challenges, the data indicates a well-managed and low-risk environment. This report details the crime statistics and temporal patterns for Hunstanton from January to December 2025.

Hunstanton's crime profile is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which constitute 53.7% of all reports. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.7% and criminal damage and arson at 8.7%. As a popular seaside resort, these figures often reflect the pressures of high visitor numbers during peak seasons.

Property crime in Hunstanton is relatively low compared to urban centres, with a rate of 12.9 per 1,000 residents. This includes shoplifting (5.2% of total crime), other theft (7.4%), and a very low burglary rate (0.4%). While property crime is less frequent than personal offences, the high volume of 'other theft' suggests that opportunists target visitors and residents in public spaces. For homeowners, the low burglary rate is encouraging, but the prevalence of criminal damage indicates a need for exterior property protection.

The crime trend in Hunstanton is very encouraging, with a 12.5% reduction in total crime over the past year. Monthly data for 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating with the seasons. The year began with low rates of 3.5 in January and 3.3 in February, before rising to 6.6 in March. The summer months saw the highest activity, peaking at 7.1 in July and 6.3 in September, likely reflecting the town's busy tourist season. However, the rate dropped back to 3.3 by December. This seasonal pattern is typical for seaside resorts, but the overall double-digit percentage decrease year-over-year indicates that local safety initiatives are proving effective. Hunstanton is demonstrably moving in a safer direction.

How To Keep Safe in Hunstanton

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Hunstanton, often peaking during the busy tourist season. To stay safe, it is wise to be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas and along the seafront, especially during the evenings. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid walking alone in isolated areas late at night.

To further enhance your safety in Hunstanton:

1. Be particularly vigilant with personal belongings in the morning and afternoon, as these are peak times for theft-related offences in the town.
2. If you are a business owner, ensure your shoplifting prevention measures are robust, as this 'business crime' accounts for over 5% of local reports.
3. Secure your property against criminal damage by ensuring the exterior is well-lit and that any gates or fences are in good repair.
4. If you are visiting for the day, ensure no valuables are left on display in your vehicle, even though vehicle crime is currently very low.
5. Report any anti-social behaviour to local wardens or police to help maintain the town’s family-friendly atmosphere.

Hunstanton exhibits clear time-based crime trends, largely driven by its status as a commercial and tourist hub. The morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) are the peak periods for theft-related offences, which account for 61% and 64% of crimes in those windows respectively. This aligns with high footfall in shopping areas and tourist attractions. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am) and night (12am-6am), the nature of crime shifts significantly. The 'other' crime category, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order issues, rises to 68% in the evening and 73% at night. Burglary, while extremely rare, shows a slight increase in likelihood during the night-time hours (5%). These patterns suggest that property and retail-related risks are highest during the day, while social-related offences are more prevalent after dark.

In the local context, Hunstanton serves as a primary hub and consequently has a higher crime rate (58.2) than its smaller neighbours. Heacham (35.2) and Snettisham (24.9) are significantly quieter, while the immediate neighbour of Old Hunstanton, along with nearby Ringstead and Sedgeford, all reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. This pattern is typical for the region, where crime is concentrated in the larger settlements that host more shops, nightlife, and visitors. Despite being the busiest in this group, Hunstanton remains a very safe town by national standards.

Hunstanton’s property crime rate of 12.9 per 1,000 highlights that while burglary is rare (0.4%), other forms of theft and criminal damage (8.7%) are more common. For many in this coastal town, properties may be second homes or holiday rentals, which can be vulnerable when left unattended. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of an incident after it has occurred, which is of limited use for prevention.

A proactive system like scOS offers a superior alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. In Hunstanton, where theft-related crimes peak during the morning and afternoon (61-64%), having a system that can autonomously respond—by activating lights or alerts—destroys the element of surprise for opportunists. This is particularly effective for preventing criminal damage, as the AI identifies suspicious behaviour before any harm is done. Moving to professional-grade, proactive protection ensures that your property is actively defended, rather than just recorded, providing true peace of mind in this beautiful seaside location.