North Walsham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated North Walsham’s crime picture in May 2023, accounting for 47.5% of all reported crimes—a rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This category, though still 6% below the UK average, remains the most significant driver of crime in the area, likely reflecting the social dynamics of a small built-up area within North Norfolk. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 14.8% of incidents, with a rate of 0.8 per 1,000 residents—40% below the UK average. This discrepancy may be attributed to the area’s relatively low population density and the absence of major urban hubs that typically correlate with higher anti-social behaviour rates. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson, at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, were 13% above the UK average, suggesting a unique local challenge. The seasonal context of May—characterised by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—may have contributed to the rise in violence and anti-social behaviour, as these factors often correlate with heightened alcohol consumption and public gatherings. However, the overall crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 remains 32.5% below the UK average, underscoring the area’s comparative safety. This low rate, despite the prominence of violence, highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the demographic characteristics of North Walsham, which may include a higher proportion of elderly residents or families with lower exposure to high-risk environments.

May 2023 saw a significant 125% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from four to nine incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in both shoplifting and drug-related crimes, highlights shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. Anti-social behaviour in North Walsham remains 40% below the UK average, suggesting that while the category is growing, it is still relatively contained. Conversely, criminal damage and arson in the area are 13% above the UK average, indicating a localised challenge in this category. The decrease in public order offences by 28.6%—from seven to five—offers a counterpoint to the overall upward trend. For residents, the most immediate insight is the doubling of shoplifting incidents, which may reflect seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic during May bank holidays and longer evenings.

North Walsham's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 13.1% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.8 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains well below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day in May, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate compared to national trends. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 186 residents, underscoring the sparse distribution of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the local population of 11,367, the monthly exposure figure illustrates that the majority of residents are not directly affected by crime on a regular basis. This context is critical for understanding the area’s crime profile in relation to both national benchmarks and local demographics.