Diss Crime Rate

Diss currently has a crime rate of 65.6 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. The town enjoys a high safety score of 84/100, indicating a secure environment for its 9,876 residents. Most encouragingly, the recent trend direction shows a decrease of 12.3% in total crime year-over-year. The data, covering December 2024 to November 2025, portrays Diss as a safe market town that is becoming even more secure over time. While it is busier than its more rural neighbours, it remains a low-risk area by national standards, with a downward trajectory that reflects well on local community safety efforts.

In Diss, the crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 43.4% of all reported incidents at a rate of 28.4 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is also a significant factor, making up 14.7% of total crime, followed by anti-social behaviour at 8.5%. These top three categories indicate that personal safety and retail-related theft are the primary areas of concern for local law enforcement.

Property-related crime in Diss—including burglary, robbery, theft, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 23.1 per 1,000 people. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.3, it is higher than some neighbouring South Norfolk towns. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (7.9%) and 'other theft' (6.8%) are the most frequent. Burglary remains relatively rare at 0.8 per 1,000 people (1.2% of total crime). For residents, the relatively high rate of shoplifting suggests a busy commercial centre where opportunistic theft is more common. Homeowners should focus on standard security measures, but business owners may need more robust protection to combat the notable shoplifting rate.

The crime trend in Diss is currently decreasing, with a significant 12.3% drop in total offences year-over-year. This is a very positive indicator for the town's safety. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a peak in July 2025 with a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000, which then followed a generally downward path.

The lowest point was recorded in November 2025, where the rate fell to 4.1. This downward trajectory suggests that local policing and community initiatives are effectively reducing criminal activity. For residents, this trend means that Diss is becoming even safer over time, reinforcing its high safety score of 84/100 and making it an increasingly attractive place to live and work within South Norfolk.

How To Keep Safe in Diss

The most common crime in Diss is violence and sexual offences, which makes up over 43% of all reported incidents. While the town is generally safe, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in the town centre.

To stay safe, particularly during the evening, stick to well-lit routes and avoid poorly lit car parks or alleyways. If you are out late, try to walk with others and let someone know when you have arrived home safely. Being observant and avoiding the use of headphones while walking alone can also help you stay aware of your environment.

For property safety, ensure your home and vehicles are always locked. Since theft is most frequent during the day (reaching 53% in the afternoon), be sure to secure your home even if you are just out for a short time. Business owners should consider enhanced security for retail premises, as shoplifting is a notable factor in the local crime statistics. Joining a local business or neighbourhood watch scheme can also provide valuable information on recent trends and help maintain Diss's overall safety.

In Diss, crime patterns are heavily influenced by the town's commercial activity. Theft-related offences, including shoplifting and 'other theft', are most frequent during the daylight hours, peaking in the afternoon at 53% of all incidents. This concentration during business hours highlights the opportunistic nature of retail crime in the town centre. As evening approaches, the nature of crime shifts toward miscellaneous offences, which account for 59% of activity between 6pm and 12am. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a similar pattern with 51% miscellaneous offences, but also a notable rise in vehicle crime, which makes up 27% of incidents during these hours. This suggests that while daytime risks are commercial, night-time risks are more property-focused, particularly targeting vehicles.

When compared to nearby areas, Diss has a higher crime rate (65.6) than Roydon (29.1) and Scole (21.6). Other nearby locations like Palgrave and Snow Street reported a rate of 0.0 in this period, likely due to their smaller populations and reporting differences. As the primary commercial and transport hub for the border of Norfolk and Suffolk, Diss naturally attracts more activity, which is reflected in its higher volume of incidents. However, even with this higher local rate, Diss remains much safer than larger regional centres, offering a balance of market town amenities and a secure, low-crime residential environment.

Diss has a property crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 people, which, while below the UK average, indicates that residents and business owners should stay vigilant. Many people rely on traditional security systems like basic CCTV or standard alarms. However, these are reactive; they record a crime in progress or alert you after the fact. In a busy market town like Diss, proactive protection is a much more effective strategy for maintaining safety.

scOS is an AI-powered security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries and identifies potential threats in real-time. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and speakers. This proactive response is far more effective than DIY systems that only provide footage for a police report after your property has been entered. For Diss homeowners and retailers, scOS offers the professional-grade intelligence needed to ensure that opportunistic crime is stopped at the boundary, keeping your assets secure and your peace of mind intact.