North Walsham Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 marked a significant shift in North Walsham’s crime profile, with violent crimes dominating the landscape. The area’s overall crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents placed it 36% below the UK average of 7.5, reflecting a consistently lower crime environment compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 53.7% of all reported crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (13.0%) and public order offences (13.0%). This pattern aligns with the area’s character as a small built-up community within rural North Norfolk, where limited nightlife and fewer commercial hubs may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Seasonal factors also appear to influence the data: the Easter period and milder spring weather likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may explain the prominence of public order incidents. However, the absence of major retail or entertainment districts contrasts with urban centres where shoplifting or vehicle crime are more common. The low rate of anti-social behaviour (66% below the UK average) further suggests a community with relatively strong social cohesion, though this remains consistent with the area’s small-scale, close-knit nature. The crime mix in North Walsham diverges from typical UK patterns, with violent offences far outpacing property crimes—a trend that may reflect local demographics or policing priorities.

The most striking month-on-month change in April 2023 was the 100% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from zero to two incidents. This sharp rise, while still low in absolute terms, contrasts with the 66.7% decline in shoplifting and vehicle crime, both of which fell from three to one incident. The shift in crime mix also stands out: violent crimes (53.7% of total) now dominate over property crimes, which accounted for just 20.3% (11 out of 54). This imbalance is stark compared to the UK average, where violent crimes make up 2.6 per 1,000 (35% of all crimes) and property crimes account for 2.5 per 1,000 (33%). North Walsham’s violent crime rate (2.6 per 1,000) matches the UK average for this category, but its anti-social behaviour rate is 66% below the UK figure (0.4 vs 1.2 per 1,000). This suggests local efforts may be effective in addressing nuisance crimes, though the rise in weapons possession indicates potential gaps in addressing more serious offences. For residents, the 66.7% drop in shoplifting is particularly notable, as it implies reduced pressure on local businesses despite the Easter shopping period—a trend that may reflect successful community policing or seasonal timing.

North Walsham’s crime rate in April 2023 (4.8 per 1,000) represented a 30.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.9 per 1,000, highlighting a continuing downward trend. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately two crimes reported each day, a figure that remains well below the national average when scaled to local population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 211 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable UK towns. This statistic underscores the area’s relatively safe environment, particularly when compared to larger urban centres where crime rates are typically higher. The population context further reinforces this: with 11,367 residents, North Walsham’s low crime figures suggest that community policing and local initiatives may be effectively mitigating risks. However, the 100% increase in weapons possession offences highlights a potential vulnerability in addressing more severe crimes, which may require targeted interventions. The comparison to the previous month also reveals that while overall crime is declining, certain categories like public order offences are showing small increases, warranting closer attention from local authorities.