Diss Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,876 residents, the 65 crimes recorded in April 2023 translate to a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 people. This rate is 12% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, marking Diss as a relatively low-crime area within South Norfolk. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (17 incidents, 26.2% of total), anti-social behaviour (13 incidents, 20.0%), and criminal damage and arson (11 incidents, 16.9%). These figures align with patterns often seen in rural built-up areas, where interpersonal disputes and property damage tend to dominate crime statistics. April’s Easter period and spring weather likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, potentially influencing anti-social behaviour and violence rates. The relatively low rate of violent crime compared to the UK average (35% below for violence and sexual offences) suggests that community cohesion and local policing efforts may be effective in mitigating serious incidents. However, the 80% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson raises questions about specific local factors, such as property maintenance practices or seasonal maintenance work. The absence of significant theft from the person or bicycle theft, both of which are below UK averages, contrasts with typical urban trends, reinforcing Diss’s character as a low-density area with limited commercial activity.

April 2023 saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories. Burglary surged by 500% compared to March, rising from 1 to 6 incidents—a stark anomaly that may reflect seasonal changes in property occupancy or increased visibility of homes during spring. Anti-social behaviour also spiked by 116.7%, with incidents increasing from 6 to 13, potentially linked to Easter-related gatherings or increased foot traffic in local amenities. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 46.9%, dropping from 32 to 17 cases, a decline consistent with the Easter holiday period when some community activities may shift indoors. The category of criminal damage and arson stood out as 80% above the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by rural land use patterns or seasonal maintenance work. Theft from the person, though only 2 incidents, was 67% above the UK average, a contrast to the 38% below UK average for shoplifting—suggesting that while retail theft is less common, personal thefts may occur in specific high-traffic areas. These shifts highlight the combination of seasonal activity and local demographics in shaping crime trends.

Compared to March 2023, when the crime rate was 7.4 per 1,000 residents, April 2023 saw an 11% reduction, reflecting a continued decline in overall crime. This decrease places Diss in a position where, on average, there are approximately 2 crimes reported per day—a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 65 as a relatively low frequency for a built-up area. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 152 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of criminal incidents in this community. When scaled to the population of 9,876, the 6.6 per 1,000 rate means that for every 1,000 people in Diss, slightly fewer than seven crimes were recorded—a statistic that contrasts with the UK average but aligns with the characteristics of a rural area with limited commercial density. The daily crime count of 2 incidents is lower than the national average, suggesting that Diss’s built-up area operates within a framework of lower risk compared to more densely populated regions. This comparison reinforces the idea that local factors such as community engagement, land use, and seasonal activity patterns play a significant role in shaping crime trends distinct from broader national averages.