Fakenham Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Fakenham’s crime profile in February 2025, accounting for 31.4% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.4 per 1,000 residents, is 40% below the UK average (2.4 per 1,000), a disparity that may reflect the area’s small population and lower population density. Shoplifting follows closely at 25.7% of total crimes, with a rate of 1.1 per 1,000—77% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This anomaly could be attributed to the town’s retail presence, though the lack of major shopping destinations suggests other factors, such as targeted theft in local businesses. Anti-social behaviour, at 17.1% of crimes, remains 28% below the UK average (1.0 per 1,000), a trend consistent with Fakenham’s relatively low levels of public disorder. Seasonal context plays a role, as February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may contribute to a shift in crime patterns, with indoor-focused offences like theft and violence becoming more prominent. The overall crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 places Fakenham 35.8% below the UK average, a statistic that aligns with the area’s rural character and community-driven environment. While the data highlights areas for local focus, such as shoplifting trends, it also reinforces the effectiveness of Fakenham’s low-crime culture in mitigating more severe offences.

February 2025 saw sharp increases in two crime categories: other theft and criminal damage and arson, both tripling from one incident to three. This surge, though modest in absolute terms, may reflect seasonal factors such as the pre-spring lull, where reduced outdoor activity could drive more indoor or targeted crimes. Conversely, public order offences fell by 80%, from five to one, linked to shorter winter evenings and lower foot traffic in the town centre. Shoplifting remains a standout issue, with rates 77% above the UK average (0.6 vs 1.1 per 1,000). This discrepancy may be tied to Fakenham’s retail presence, though the absence of major shopping districts suggests other drivers, such as opportunistic behaviour in smaller local stores. Meanwhile, violent crime rates in Fakenham (1.4 per 1,000) are 40% below the UK average, a contrast that may reflect the area’s quieter, more community-focused environment compared to densely populated urban centres.

Fakenham’s crime rate in February 2025 rose 12.8% from the previous month’s 3.8 per 1,000 to 4.3 per 1,000. While this increase is notable, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with 35.8% fewer crimes per 1,000 residents. Locally, this translates to one reported crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that may seem low but reflects the area’s small population of 8,079. When scaled to the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 231 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. This contrast with UK-wide averages highlights the unique characteristics of Fakenham, where community cohesion and rural isolation may contribute to lower crime rates despite the recent upward trend. The data also suggests that while some categories like shoplifting exceed UK norms, others such as burglary and public order offences remain well below national levels, pointing to localized factors influencing crime patterns.