Diss Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

May 2025 presented a notable anomaly in Diss's crime profile: a 100% surge in bicycle theft, rising from zero to one incident. This unexpected spike stands in contrast to the area's otherwise stable crime trends and its position as one of the UK's safest built-up areas. Diss recorded 59 crimes in total, yielding a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents—25.9% below the UK average of 8.1. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 45.8% of all incidents, followed closely by shoplifting (11.9%) and anti-social behaviour (11.9%). While the overall rate remained consistent with Diss's historical performance, the seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—may have contributed to the rise in violent crimes. The area's lower population density and rural-adjacent location likely play a role in its below-average rates for anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which are typically more concentrated in urban centres. However, the 100% increase in bicycle theft raises questions about local factors, such as the timing of university term breaks or changes in cycling infrastructure, that could explain this outlier. The data also shows that Diss's crime profile is shaped by its character as a small built-up area within South Norfolk, where community cohesion and limited nightlife may temper certain types of crime while leaving others, like property-related incidents, vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations.

May 2025 saw three crime types increase by 100% from April: bicycle theft, criminal damage and arson, and 'other crime'. This surge in bicycle theft, from zero to one incident, is the most striking anomaly, though it remains below the UK average for that category. Conversely, other theft dropped by two-thirds (from nine to three), and public order offences fell by 57.1%. The violent crime category—violence and sexual offences—remains 5% below the UK average at 2.7 per 1,000, despite accounting for 45.8% of all crimes in Diss. Anti-social behaviour, which contributes 11.9% of crimes, is 51% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect Diss's smaller population and lower density of social hubs. The 'other crime' category, which includes unclassified or minor incidents, saw a dramatic increase to five cases, far exceeding the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Residents might note that this category's spike could indicate underreported or emerging issues requiring further local attention.

Diss's crime rate in May 2025 rose slightly from 5.8 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 3.5% increase compared to the previous month. This small upward trend contrasts with the area's consistent performance below the UK average, which remains 25.9% lower at 8.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Diss recorded approximately two crimes per day in May, a figure that reflects the area's low overall crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 167 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. While the increase from April is modest, it aligns with seasonal patterns typical of May, when longer evenings and bank holidays may contribute to shifts in social activity and crime patterns. The population context further highlights that Diss's crime statistics, when scaled to its 9,876 residents, remain significantly lower than the UK average, reinforcing the area's position as a comparatively safer locality.