The question of whether there are specific crime concerns for rural areas within North Norfolk is a valid one, and the available data provides a valuable snapshot of the situation. Overall, North Norfolk demonstrates a relatively lower crime rate compared to the national average. With a population of 103,217, the crime rate stands at 47.0 incidents per 1,000 people. This contrasts with the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 people. This suggests that, on the whole, North Norfolk is a relatively safe area.
Furthermore, North Norfolk boasts a safety score of 88 out of 100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. This score reflects a perception of safety amongst residents, and the lower crime rate supports this. However, it's important to acknowledge that 'crime' encompasses a wide range of offences, and specific rural areas may experience particular types of crime more frequently.
While the overall data is positive, it doesn't provide granular detail about specific crime types within rural North Norfolk. Rural areas are often susceptible to crimes such as burglaries targeting rural properties, theft of farm machinery and livestock, and poaching. These crimes often occur due to the relative isolation and perceived lack of surveillance in these areas. Although no specific crime type data is provided, these are common concerns in similar rural settings.
It’s crucial to remember that crime statistics represent reported incidents. The actual level of crime may be higher if some incidents go unreported. The safety score, derived from resident perceptions, offers a complementary perspective to the statistical data. Residents may perceive an area as unsafe even if crime rates are relatively low, due to factors such as fear of crime or specific local incidents.