Fakenham Crime Rate

Fakenham is a secure Norfolk market town with an overall crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 residents, which sits comfortably below the UK national average of 93.1. This contributes to a high safety score of 84/100, indicating a low-risk environment for its 8,079 inhabitants. The crime trend in Fakenham is currently stable, showing a minor 4.9% change year-over-year. Property crime is particularly low at 20.7 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. While violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type, the overall volume remains modest, and the town remains a safe choice for families and businesses alike. The following sections provide a deeper analysis of Fakenham's crime statistics and safety trends.

Crime Breakdown in Fakenham

Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant portion of crime in Fakenham, with 227 reported incidents making up 42.2% of the total. Shoplifting is the second most common crime at 16.2%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.2%. These figures highlight that while personal safety is a key focus, retail-related crime also plays a substantial role in the town's statistical profile.

The overall property crime rate in Fakenham—covering burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—is 20.7 per 1,000 people. This is well below the UK average of 32.9, indicating that Fakenham is a relatively safe place for property owners. Burglary accounts for 2.6% of total crime (14 incidents), and vehicle crime represents 1.9%. While these rates are low, the data shows that property crime is most likely to involve shoplifting and 'other' thefts. For residents, this means that while the risk of a home break-in is statistically low, opportunistic theft in public or commercial spaces is more frequent. Maintaining a visible security presence can help mitigate these risks and ensure the town remains a secure environment for both residents and businesses.

Fakenham's crime trend is currently classified as stable, with a modest 4.9% increase in reported incidents compared to the previous year. This suggests that the town's safety environment is consistent and predictable. Analysis of the monthly data throughout 2024 and 2025 shows some seasonal variation. The crime rate per 1,000 residents dipped to its lowest point in December 2024 at 3.1, before gradually rising through the spring.

The rate peaked in March 2025 at 6.7 and remained relatively high through the summer months, fluctuating between 5.6 and 6.7. This slight increase during the warmer months is a common pattern in many UK towns. The year ended with a rate of 6.6 in October 2025, mirroring the peak seen earlier in the year. For residents, this stability means that while there are minor monthly ebbs and flows, the overall risk level in Fakenham remains low and well-managed, with no sudden or alarming spikes in criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Fakenham

The most frequent crime type in Fakenham is violence and sexual offences, making up 42.2% of total reports. While the overall crime volume is low, personal safety in public spaces remains a priority for residents and visitors.

When moving around the town, especially during the evening, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated areas. Being aware of your surroundings and walking with confidence can often deter unwanted attention. If you are visiting local pubs or restaurants, plan your journey home in advance and try to travel in groups where possible.

For property owners, the relatively high rate of shoplifting in the town centre suggests that opportunistic theft is a factor. Ensure that your home is not an easy target by keeping valuables out of sight and ensuring all doors and windows are locked when the property is empty. Installing motion-sensor lighting around your driveway and entrances can significantly reduce the appeal of your property to opportunistic thieves at night. Additionally, joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group can help you stay informed about any specific trends or suspicious activity in your part of Fakenham.

Crime in Fakenham exhibits clear temporal patterns that reflect the town's commercial and social activity. During the morning and afternoon (6am - 6pm), theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 57% and 61% of crimes respectively. This is strongly tied to the town's retail centre and daytime footfall. As the evening progresses, the proportion of 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, rises to 41%, while burglary rates also begin to climb.

The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a significant shift in the risk profile. While the total number of incidents may be lower, vehicle crime becomes a major concern, accounting for 32% of all crimes in this window. Burglary also peaks at 23% during these hours. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely focused on retail theft, the night-time presents a greater threat to residential property and vehicles. Homeowners should ensure that their most robust security measures are active during these late-night and early-morning hours.

In the context of the surrounding North Norfolk landscape, Fakenham acts as a central hub. Its crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 is higher than its smaller neighbour, Great Ryburgh, which records 49.5 per 1,000. This is expected given Fakenham's larger population and role as a commercial centre. Interestingly, several very close villages, including Hempton, Sculthorpe, and Colkirk, recorded zero crimes in the latest period, highlighting the exceptionally peaceful nature of the rural areas immediately surrounding the town. For residents, Fakenham offers a safe urban environment that is well-integrated with some of the lowest-crime rural parishes in the country, providing a balanced safety profile for the region.

Fakenham's property crime rate of 20.7 per 1,000 suggests that while the area is safe, homeowners should not be complacent. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarm kits, are often reactive—they tell you that a crime has happened after the fact. In a town like Fakenham, where property crime is relatively rare but still occurs, the goal should be prevention rather than just recording.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. This intelligence allows the system to distinguish between normal activity and a genuine security threat, such as someone loitering near a vehicle or testing a door. By catching these patterns early, scOS can trigger autonomous responses like turning on high-intensity lights or engaging speakers to deter an intruder before they even touch your property. This proactive approach destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often causing them to move on within seconds. For Fakenham residents, this level of professional-grade AI security provides a superior layer of protection that simple recording devices cannot match.