Cromer Crime Rate

Cromer is a safe and welcoming coastal town, evidenced by its overall crime rate of 70.9 per 1,000 people, which sits comfortably below the UK average of 93.1. The area holds a strong safety score of 84/100, indicating a secure environment for its 7,575 residents. Most encouragingly, the crime trend in Cromer is moving in a positive direction, with a 15.8% decrease in reported incidents over the last year. While the town experiences typical urban challenges such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, the overall trajectory suggests an improving safety landscape. This data provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime in Cromer, helping the community understand local patterns and maintain the town's high safety standards.

In Cromer, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.4% of all reported incidents. Shoplifting is the second most common crime type, making up a significant 17.7% of the total, followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.9%. These figures suggest that much of the recorded crime is concentrated in commercial areas and public spaces. Property crime, which encompasses burglary, various forms of theft, and vehicle crime, carries an overall rate of 27.3 per 1,000 people. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (9.7%) and other theft (4.7%) are notable contributors. For residents and business owners, this indicates a moderate risk of opportunistic crime. While the burglary rate itself is relatively low at 2.0 per 1,000, the high percentage of shoplifting and other thefts highlights the need for vigilant property and retail security. Homeowners should be particularly mindful of criminal damage, which is more frequent than actual break-ins.

Cromer has seen a positive downward trend in crime over the last year, with a 15.8% overall decrease. Monthly data shows that after a peak in late 2024 (6.3 in November), the crime rate dipped to as low as 4.0 in March 2025. While there was a seasonal rise during the summer months—peaking at 7.8 in August 2025—the rates remained lower than the same periods in the previous year. This suggests that while Cromer experiences the typical summer influx of visitors and associated crime, the underlying year-round safety of the town is improving. Residents can feel encouraged by this steady reduction in total reported incidents.

How To Keep Safe in Cromer

The most common crime in Cromer is violence and sexual offences, often concentrated in public areas or linked to the town's evening economy. Staying safe involves awareness and proactive measures.

1. Be Mindful in the Town Centre: When visiting the town centre or seafront, especially during busy tourist periods or in the evening, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid poorly lit areas.
2. Secure Retail Premises: For business owners, the high rate of shoplifting (17.7%) suggests that visible security and staff training in loss prevention are essential.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is a notable factor in Cromer. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps authorities allocate resources to the right areas.
4. Night-time Vigilance: As burglary and vehicle crime are more likely at night, ensure all residential doors, windows, and vehicles are double-checked before retiring for the evening.
5. Community Connection: Join local neighbourhood watch groups to stay informed about recent trends and share safety tips with fellow residents.

Crime in Cromer follows a pattern tied to the town's daily activity. Morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) periods see a high concentration of theft and shoplifting, accounting for approximately 40% of crimes during these times. This aligns with the opening of the town's retail and commercial sectors. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences—rise significantly to 63% of total reports. The night-time period (12am - 6am) presents a different risk profile; while overall volume is lower, the proportion of burglary (23%) and vehicle crime (17%) is at its highest. This suggests that while public-facing crime dominates the day, private property is most vulnerable in the early hours of the morning.

Cromer serves as a primary service and tourism hub for this part of North Norfolk, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 70.9 compared to its immediate neighbours. Nearby villages such as East Runton, Aylmerton, and Roughton all recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, highlighting the exceptionally quiet nature of the surrounding rural areas. Overstrand, located just to the east, has a crime rate of 27.7, which is significantly lower than Cromer's but more active than the smaller villages. While Cromer is the busiest area in this comparison, its crime rate remains well below the national average, making it a safe central point within a very low-crime region.

Cromer’s property crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 people suggests that while the town is generally safe, residents and businesses should remain proactive about security. Shoplifting and criminal damage are the most frequent property-related issues, often occurring in commercial areas or during the night. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, are reactive—they provide evidence after a crime has been committed. For true protection, a proactive approach is required. An AI-powered operating system like scOS transforms your security from a passive recorder into an active defender. By monitoring camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can detect an intruder at your property boundary or identify suspicious patterns before a crime occurs. Features like autonomous lighting and speaker responses can deter a potential criminal in the critical 60 seconds before they decide to act. In an area where criminal damage is more common than burglary, stopping an incident before it starts is the most effective way to protect your home or business. scOS offers the professional-grade intelligence needed to maintain the peace of mind that Cromer residents value.