Diss Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Diss, a built-up area within South Norfolk, reported a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 11.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This relatively low rate underscores the area’s position as a safer community compared to national benchmarks. The most frequently reported crimes were violence and sexual offences (27 incidents, 45.8% of total), followed by shoplifting (9 incidents, 15.3%) and burglary (5 incidents, 8.5%). These figures suggest a mix of personal safety concerns and retail-related offences, which may be influenced by the area’s character as a small, possibly commuter-oriented or rural-adjacent built-up area. Seasonal factors in January, such as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, likely contribute to the lower incidence of outdoor crimes typically associated with busier months. However, the prevalence of violent crimes above the UK average indicates a need for targeted interventions. Shoplifting rates, though elevated locally, remain below the national average for this category, reflecting a combination of local enforcement and consumer behaviour. The data also highlights a disparity in property crime trends: burglary and shoplifting rates are above UK averages, while vehicle crime and other theft categories are significantly lower. This contrast may be explained by the area’s limited commercial density compared to larger urban centres, reducing opportunities for vehicle-related offences but increasing vulnerability in retail spaces. The overall picture illustrates a community grappling with specific challenges, particularly in addressing violent crime and retail theft, while benefiting from a generally lower crime environment than the UK average.

January 2026 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with burglary, other theft, and robbery each experiencing significant increases. Burglary rose by 400%, jumping from one to five incidents, while other theft and robbery both doubled from zero to three and one, respectively. These spikes may reflect heightened activity during the post-holiday period. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 60% to four incidents, and anti-social behaviour and public order offences each dropped by 40%, suggesting a possible reduction in disruptive activities during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, contributing 45.8% of all crimes, a rate 8% above the UK average. This divergence highlights local factors, such as the built-up area’s demographics or specific community dynamics, that may influence crime patterns distinct from national trends.

Diss recorded a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, marking a 4.9% decline from December’s 6.3 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with seasonal patterns typical of January, a month marked by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower outdoor crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two crimes per day, a figure that, while locally relevant, does not directly compare to UK-wide daily averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 167 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population. With a population of 9,876, this statistic provides a tangible sense of how frequently residents encounter crime within their community. The shift from December to January reflects a broader seasonal rhythm, though local factors such as community initiatives or changes in policing strategies may also play a role in this reduction.