Upwell and Outwell Crime Rate

Upwell and Outwell is a relatively safe settlement in Norfolk, with a safety score of 81/100, placing it above the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate is 70.5 per 1,000 residents, which is approximately 23% lower than the national average of 91.6. However, the area has seen a 29.2% increase in reported crime over the last year, suggesting an upward trend that residents should monitor. While the village remains a secure environment, this increase from previous years highlights the importance of staying informed about local crime patterns. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of the most common offences and when they are most likely to occur, helping residents take informed steps toward their own safety.

Crime Breakdown in Upwell and Outwell

In Upwell and Outwell, violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant portion of reported crime, accounting for 50.4% of all incidents with a rate of 35.6 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson follow at 8.7%, and burglary is the third most common at 7.0%. These three categories highlight the primary concerns for local law enforcement and the community.

Property crime in the area—which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—has a combined rate of 21.5 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2, but burglary and vehicle crime still represent a tangible portion of the total. Burglary, specifically, occurs at a rate of 4.9 per 1,000, which is high enough to warrant proactive security measures for homeowners. For residents, this means that while the village remains safer than many urban areas, protecting homes and vehicles against opportunistic theft is a necessary part of local life.

Crime Trends in Upwell and Outwell

The crime trend in Upwell and Outwell is currently upward, with a 29.2% increase in reported incidents year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a steady climb in activity as the year progressed. Starting with a rate of 5.2 in January, the numbers fluctuated before hitting a significant peak in August with a rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents.

The latter half of the year remained consistently higher than the first, with October, November, and December all recording rates above 6.1. This sustained increase suggests that the rise in crime isn't just a one-off spike but a broader shift in local activity. While the village remains safer than the UK average, this trend underscores the need for residents to be more proactive about security and community awareness than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Upwell and Outwell

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Upwell and Outwell, accounting for half of all reported incidents. While many of these cases involve known parties, general personal safety remains a priority.

• Be Mindful at Night: When walking between the villages or in less populated areas after dark, stick to well-lit routes and carry a charged mobile phone.
• Secure Vehicles Overnight: With vehicle crime peaking at night (29% of night-time crime), ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left on display. Use a driveway or garage if available.
• Be a Good Neighbour: In a close-knit community like Upwell and Outwell, looking out for neighbours can be a great deterrent. Report any suspicious individuals or vehicles to the non-emergency 101 number.
• Improve Home Lighting: Burglary is a top-three crime here. Installing dusk-to-dawn lighting around entry points can make your home a much less attractive target for opportunistic thieves, especially during the afternoon and night.

Crime Timing in Upwell and Outwell

Crime in Upwell and Outwell follows distinct temporal patterns that are vital for residents to understand. Burglary is notably high throughout the day and night, but it peaks during the afternoon (35%) and night (33%). This suggests that thieves are active both when residents are likely at work and when they are asleep.

Vehicle crime shows a very specific trend, with 29% of all night-time offences being vehicle-related, compared to much lower percentages during the day. This indicates a high risk for cars parked on streets or in driveways during the early hours of the morning. Theft-related offences are most common during the morning (29%) and afternoon (30%), likely coinciding with when the local shops are busiest. Overall, the evening and night periods carry the highest variety of risks, while the afternoon is the primary window for residential property threats.

In the local regional context, Upwell and Outwell's crime rate of 70.5 per 1,000 residents is consistent with other nearby rural-urban settlements. It sits closely with Elm and Emneth (74.2) and Friday Bridge (68.4), suggesting a similar safety profile across these connected communities. In contrast, the much smaller areas of Christchurch (Fenland) and Paradise both recorded no crime during the same period, reflecting the extremely quiet nature of the more remote hamlets. For those considering the region, Upwell and Outwell offers a typical Norfolk village experience—safe and residential, but with the slightly higher activity levels expected of a larger settlement compared to its smallest neighbours.

Enhancing Security in Upwell and Outwell

With a property crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents and burglary appearing as a top-three crime type, residents of Upwell and Outwell should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are reactive; they provide you with a recording of a crime after it has occurred. In a village setting, where police response times may be longer than in major cities, preventing the crime from happening in the first place is paramount.

scOS represents the next generation of home protection by focusing on proactive prevention. Using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries 24/7. It is designed to recognise the difference between a delivery driver and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected at your perimeter, scOS can autonomously engage lights and speakers to deter the individual before they ever attempt a break-in. This "boundary-first" approach is particularly effective in Upwell and Outwell, where burglary is a known factor. By removing the element of surprise and making it clear that a property is professionally protected, scOS makes opportunistic criminals move on.