Fakenham Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Fakenham's crime rate in May 2025 stood at 5.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, marking a significant 30.9% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure places the area among the safest in the country relative to its population size, a trend consistent with historical data from North Norfolk. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.7% of total incidents (21 cases) with a rate of 2.6 per 1,000. This category was 8% below the UK average for the same type of crime. Public order offences and anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 13.3% each, though these categories showed notable deviations from national trends. Anti-social behaviour, in particular, had a rate of 0.7 per 1,000 — 51% below the UK average — suggesting a community-level focus on managing social tensions. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contribute to the elevated rate of violence and public order offences. However, these were offset by significant reductions in property-related crimes, such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, which may reflect heightened local awareness or targeted policing efforts. The overall crime profile illustrates a balance between persistent challenges in violent crime and effective local measures addressing property offences, though the seasonal context remains a critical factor in shaping monthly patterns.

May 2025 saw marked improvements in several key crime categories. Vehicle crime fell by 75% compared to April, dropping from 4 to 1 incident, a shift that may reflect increased local patrols or seasonal changes in vehicle usage. Shoplifting also declined sharply, with a 55.6% reduction (from 9 to 4 cases) — a trend consistent with improved retail security measures or community engagement. These decreases were accompanied by a notable 200% increase in 'other theft' incidents, rising from 1 to 3 cases, though this category remains well below the UK average (0.5 per 1,000). The most significant month-on-month rise was in public order offences, which doubled from 3 to 6 cases — a 100% increase. This spike aligns with May's longer evenings and increased outdoor drinking, which are known to correlate with public disorder in small towns. Interestingly, while drugs offences rose by 100% (from 0 to 1 case), this category remained 64% below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), suggesting limited local drug-related activity. The crime mix also shifted slightly, with property crimes now accounting for 24.4% of total incidents (11 cases) compared to 46.7% for violent crimes. This balance reflects a broader national trend of declining property crime rates, though Fakenham's performance in this area is particularly strong. Residents may find the 55.6% drop in shoplifting especially relevant, as it indicates effective measures in place to protect local businesses during the busy summer retail season.

Fakenham's crime rate in May 2025 (5.6 per 1,000) represents a 15.1% decrease from April's 6.6 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend that has characterised the area for several months. When viewed in daily terms, this equates to roughly 1 crime per day across the built-up area's 8,079 residents — a figure that, while representing a localised perspective, is significantly lower than the UK average daily crime rate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 180 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area's relative safety compared to national standards. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates the low probability of being directly affected by crime in Fakenham. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Fakenham's crime profile is not only below the UK average but also demonstrates a more stable distribution across crime types. For instance, while violent crimes remain the most common category, their rate (2.6 per 1,000) is 8% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Conversely, categories like public order and anti-social behaviour, though showing increases in May, remain well below national levels. This suggests that while certain seasonal factors may temporarily elevate specific crime types, the overall crime environment in Fakenham remains markedly safer than the national average. The combination of consistent reductions in property-related crimes and controlled levels of violent crime highlights a unique local dynamic that merits further analysis in future reports.