Diss Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Diss, a built-up area within South Norfolk, recorded a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in December 2024, placing it 16.9% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, masks a striking anomaly: shoplifting incidents, at 1.0 per 1,000 residents, were 75% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be explained by the area’s proximity to retail hubs and the seasonal pressures of Christmas shopping, which can drive opportunistic theft. Violent crimes, however, accounted for the largest share of incidents (43.1%), with 25 reported cases, and were 2% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 15.5% of total crimes, while other theft and public order offences remained below national averages. The seasonal context of December—characterised by long evenings, empty homes during holidays, and increased foot traffic in retail areas—likely influenced these patterns. While the overall rate suggests a relatively safe environment, the shoplifting spike underscores the need for targeted measures in high-traffic areas during peak shopping periods. The balance between property and violent crime also reflects the area’s demographic profile, where community cohesion may mitigate some forms of crime while leaving others, such as retail theft, more vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, including a 52.4% decline in shoplifting compared to the previous month, despite the category remaining 75% above the UK average. This suggests a potential seasonal moderation in retail-focused crimes. Conversely, drug-related crimes, robbery, and vehicle crime all rose by 100% from November, indicating a sudden spike in these categories—possibly linked to increased illicit activity during the holiday period. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast: while violent crimes accounted for 43.1% of total incidents, property crimes remained low, with shoplifting being the only property category exceeding the UK average. This divergence highlights the combination of local factors, such as the area’s retail environment, and broader national trends. For residents, the sharp increase in drug-related crimes offers a specific concern, as it signals a potential shift in criminal activity that may require targeted community awareness.

Diss recorded a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in December 2024, a 24.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.8 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months in rural and semi-rural areas, where reduced foot traffic and fewer social events may contribute to lower crime opportunities. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 170 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the relatively low crime density compared to larger urban centres. With a population of 9,876, the localised nature of Diss’s built-up area means that crime impacts are more concentrated, though the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average. This suggests that community-specific factors—such as strong local policing or seasonal closures of businesses—may play a role in mitigating crime during the holiday period.