North Walsham Crime Rate

North Walsham maintains a strong reputation for safety, with an overall crime rate of 58.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 85/100. Recent data indicates a positive trend for the town, with crime levels decreasing by 16.7% year-over-year. This downward trajectory, combined with a property crime rate of just 15.9 per 1,000—less than half the national average of 32.9—positions North Walsham as one of the more secure urban settlements in the North Norfolk region. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, seasonal trends, and practical safety insights for residents.

Crime Breakdown in North Walsham

Crime in North Walsham is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 308 reported incidents, representing 46.0% of the total crime volume. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.2% and shoplifting at 9.1%. While these figures provide a snapshot of local activity, they should be viewed within the context of the area's overall low crime volume compared to national figures.

Property-related crime in North Walsham—which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—stands at a rate of 15.9 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Specifically, burglary remains relatively rare, with only 15 recorded cases (2.2% of total crime), while vehicle crime accounts for just 1.1%. For residents and homeowners, this suggests that while the area is generally safe, maintaining standard security protocols is still advisable to deter opportunistic theft. The relatively high proportion of shoplifting suggests that commercial areas are the primary focus for theft-related activities, rather than residential properties.

The crime trend in North Walsham is currently on a significant downward trajectory. Total reported crimes have decreased by 16.7% year-over-year, a positive indicator for the community's safety. Examining the monthly trend data from late 2024 through 2025, we see a relatively stable environment with occasional fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 5.0 in November 2024 and saw its lowest point in December 2024 at 3.1.

Throughout 2025, the rate remained largely consistent between 3.6 and 5.5, before seeing a notable spike to 7.1 in October 2025. Despite this end-of-year increase, the overall annual reduction remains robust. For residents, this long-term decrease suggests that North Walsham is becoming a safer place to live, although the recent monthly rise in October serves as a reminder to maintain personal and property security vigilance. The stability seen in the spring and summer months indicates a predictable safety environment for the majority of the year.

How To Keep Safe in North Walsham

The most prevalent crime type in North Walsham is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.0% of all reported incidents. While the overall volume of crime is low, staying vigilant in public spaces is important for personal safety.

To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Stick to well-lit, busy routes and avoid poorly lit shortcuts or alleyways. If you are out in the evening, try to stay with friends or let someone know your expected route and arrival time.

For property safety, ensure all ground-floor windows and doors are securely locked, even when you are at home. Opportunistic theft can happen quickly, so keeping valuables out of sight from windows is a simple but effective deterrent. Consider installing motion-activated exterior lighting to eliminate dark spots around your property where someone could linger unnoticed. Finally, engaging with local community watch schemes can provide valuable updates on any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood.

Analysis of crime timings in North Walsham reveals distinct patterns associated with the town's daily rhythm. During the morning and afternoon (6am to 6pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for nearly half of all crimes in these periods. This likely coincides with peak hours for local shops and businesses. As the day transitions into the evening, the nature of crime shifts; 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour, become the majority, accounting for 63% of incidents between 6pm and midnight.

The night-time period (12am to 6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall crime volume is lower, the percentage of burglaries peaks at 20%, and vehicle crime reaches its highest proportion at 15%. This suggests that residential and vehicle security are most vulnerable during the early hours when the town is quietest. Homeowners should ensure that proactive security measures are most active during these high-risk windows to deter opportunistic intruders.

When considering the wider North Norfolk area, North Walsham sits comfortably as a safe market town. Its crime rate of 58.8 per 1,000 is notably lower than the nearby coastal village of Mundesley, which records 67.1 per 1,000. However, it is higher than smaller, more rural neighbours such as Trunch, which has a rate of 28.6 per 1,000. The villages of Knapton and Paston represent the quietest extremes in the region, with zero recorded crimes in the current period. For those looking for a balance between urban amenities and safety, North Walsham offers a secure environment compared to many UK towns of similar size, though it naturally experiences more activity than the surrounding rural hamlets.

With a property crime rate of 15.9 per 1,000, North Walsham residents enjoy a lower risk of burglary and theft than the average UK citizen. However, the limitation of traditional security systems is that they are often reactive; a standard CCTV camera or doorbell might record a burglary, but it does little to stop it. To truly secure your home in North Walsham, a proactive approach is required.

scOS represents the next generation of home security, moving beyond simple recording to active prevention. By using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before a break-in occurs. The system can distinguish between a delivery driver and a suspicious stranger, only alerting you when a genuine threat is detected. Features like DVLA vehicle verification and autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—create an immediate deterrent. In an area like North Walsham, where crime is low but opportunism exists, the visible presence of a professional-grade AI security system often convinces intruders to move on within the first 60 seconds.