North Norfolk Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

North Norfolk’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 3.9 per 1,000 residents, a figure 51.2% below the UK average of 8.0. This stark divergence reflects the area’s unique demographic and geographic profile, characterised by a largely rural landscape with limited urban density. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.7% of all crimes, the most common category, yet this rate remained 42% below the UK average—a discrepancy likely attributable to the area’s sparse population and limited nightlife. Anti-social behaviour followed with 16.4% of total crimes, also significantly below the national average, while criminal damage and arson made up 12.2% of incidents. The seasonal context of May, with longer evenings and increased outdoor activity, may have contributed to the prominence of interpersonal crimes, though the absence of major urban centres or commuter hubs suggests that local factors—such as community cohesion and limited commercial activity—play a key role in maintaining low crime rates. Property crimes, though lower in proportion than violent offences, still accounted for 27% of incidents, with shoplifting and vehicle crime representing the smallest share of property-related crimes. This mix highlights the combination of rural dynamics and the persistence of targeted offences in dispersed communities.

May 2023 saw a 120% increase in burglary, rising from 5 to 11 incidents, a stark contrast to the 80% reduction in shoplifting, which fell from 15 to 8. This shift suggests a potential reallocation of criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime category, decreased by 30.5% compared to April, aligning with a 42% deficit against the UK average. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 100%, doubling from 3 to 6 cases—a figure that, while small in absolute terms, may signal emerging local patterns. The sharp contrast between property crimes (109 incidents) and violent crimes (164) underscores a crime mix skewed toward interpersonal offences, a trend consistent with the area’s seasonal context of extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising.

North Norfolk's crime rate in May 2023 dropped 13.1% compared to April, reflecting a continuing trend of lower-than-average crime. The monthly rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents means one crime occurred for every 256 residents over the course of the month—a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents for local residents. Daily crime figures show 13 reported crimes per day, a figure that may appear high in absolute terms but remains far below national benchmarks when considered against the area’s population size. This contrast is amplified by the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, with North Norfolk’s rate nearly halving that figure. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s crime profile is significantly more subdued than the UK average, though local variations in crime type—such as the sharp rise in burglary—highlight the need for ongoing analysis of specific incident trends.