North Norfolk Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

North Norfolk's crime rate in May 2025 stood at 4.4 per 1,000, a figure that is 45.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends is evident in the breakdown of crime types, where violence and sexual offences accounted for 49.9% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). The dominance of violent crime over property crime reflects a unique pattern in this rural district, which differs from the UK average where property crimes typically form a larger share. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contribute to the higher proportion of public order and violence-related incidents compared to other months. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the sharp increase in violence and sexual offences compared to the previous month raises questions about local dynamics. The area's low population density and rural character may explain the lower rates of vehicle crime and burglary, but the rise in violent crime suggests a need for further analysis of community-specific factors. The UK comparison data also highlights that North Norfolk's rates for anti-social behaviour (58% below UK average) and shoplifting (70% below) are particularly striking, underscoring the area's distinct crime profile. These patterns may be influenced by the lack of urban centres and the presence of more isolated communities, where social interactions and policing approaches differ from those in densely populated regions.

The most significant month-on-month change was a 48.4% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 153 to 227 incidents. This surge, while concerning, remains 22% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Public order offences also saw an 80% jump, from 20 to 36, which may partly explain the shift in crime mix toward more visible, community-facing incidents. Conversely, vehicle crime decreased by 22.2% (9 to 7), and burglary fell by 18.2% (11 to 9), suggesting targeted efforts or seasonal factors may be influencing property crime trends. Possession of weapons increased by 100%, from 2 to 4 incidents, a stark figure that contrasts with the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This category, though small in absolute terms, highlights an area where local law enforcement may need to monitor patterns closely. The overall crime rate, while up slightly, still reflects North Norfolk's persistent position as one of the UK's safest areas, with most categories significantly below national averages.

North Norfolk's crime rate in May 2025 rose 24.6% from the previous month's 3.5 per 1,000 to 4.4 per 1,000, marking the first increase in a series of months with generally stable or declining rates. This shift, though modest, contrasts with the area's consistent position well below the UK average. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of 15 crimes reported each day in May, a figure that reflects the local context of a largely rural and coastal district with lower population density. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 227 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents in a community where 103,217 people reside. While the increase in May is notable, the overall crime rate remains 45.7% below the UK average, a gap that persists despite the upward trend in specific categories. This suggests that underlying factors such as geographic isolation, limited urban density, and strong community policing may still play a role in maintaining North Norfolk's lower-than-average crime profile compared to more densely populated regions.