Diss Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

September 2023 marked a stark shift in Diss’s crime profile, with public order offences surging by 700% compared to August, the most dramatic month-on-month change recorded. The area’s overall crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents placed it 1.2% below the UK average, though the distribution of crime types diverged significantly from national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 50% of all reported crimes, a share far higher than the UK average of 46%. This concentration of violent crime may be linked to the seasonal context of September, which typically sees the start of the academic year and the return of university students to the area, potentially increasing social interactions and associated tensions. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, doubling from six to 12 incidents, while public order offences—such as noise disturbances or disorderly conduct—jumped from one to eight. These increases may partly reflect the transition from summer to autumn, with changing social patterns and the return of students to local nightlife areas. Conversely, property crimes were relatively low, with shoplifting and burglary both below the UK average. This could be consistent with Diss’s character as a smaller, built-up area within a rural region, where retail activity is less concentrated than in larger urban centres, limiting opportunities for such crimes. The data also shows a marked decline in burglary, falling by two-thirds from three to one incident, indicating the impact of local initiatives or seasonal factors such as shorter evenings reducing the window for such crimes. While the overall rate remains slightly below the UK average, the sharp rise in violent and public order offences highlights the need for targeted interventions in the coming months.

The most striking month-on-month change in September 2023 was the 700% increase in public order offences, rising from one incident to eight. This surge, coupled with a 105.3% rise in violence and sexual offences (from 19 to 39), highlights a sharp shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes now accounting for 50% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour also doubled, increasing from six to 12, while burglary fell by 66.7% (from three to one). These figures contrast with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences in Diss were 46% higher than the national rate of 2.7 per 1,000. Conversely, shoplifting in Diss was 46% below the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s lower retail density and possibly fewer opportunities for such crimes. Residents may find the significant drop in burglary rates noteworthy, suggesting potential effectiveness of local security measures or seasonal factors such as shorter evenings reducing opportunities for break-ins.

Diss recorded a crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 in September 2023, marking a 73.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.6 per 1,000. This jump reflects a significant shift in the local crime picture, with daily crime activity averaging roughly three incidents per day over the 30-day period. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 127 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for residents. While the overall rate remains 1.2% below the UK average, the month-on-month surge underscores a departure from earlier trends. The population context highlights that Diss’s relatively small size—home to 9,876 residents—means even modest increases in crime numbers can have a noticeable impact on community perception. This contrast with the UK average, combined with the localised nature of the area, suggests that specific factors, such as seasonal transitions or local events, may have influenced the spike in reported incidents.