Ditchingham Crime Rate

Ditchingham is one of the safest urban settlements in South Norfolk, boasting a crime rate of just 29.9 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area an impressive safety score of 92/100—well above the national benchmark of 79. Furthermore, the area is seeing a strong positive trend, with crime decreasing by 29.6% over the last year. Property crime is particularly rare here, with a rate of only 7.1 per 1,000 people, which is a fraction of the UK average of 32.3. While violence and sexual offences remain the most common report type, the overall volume of crime is remarkably low, making Ditchingham a secure and attractive place for residents and families alike.

Crime Breakdown in Ditchingham

The most significant crime type in Ditchingham is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 52.6% of all recorded incidents (20 crimes). This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 13.2% and anti-social behaviour at 7.9%. These figures suggest that the majority of reported issues are interpersonal or involve minor damage to property rather than organised criminal activity.

Property crime in Ditchingham is notably low, with a rate of 7.1 per 1,000 people. This encompasses a variety of offences including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime. Specifically, burglary, vehicle crime, and robbery each represent only 2.6% of the total crime volume. While property crime is well below the UK average of 32.3, the presence of criminal damage as the second most common crime type indicates that homeowners should still consider the security of their property's exterior and vehicles to prevent opportunistic vandalism.

Crime Trends in Ditchingham

Ditchingham is currently experiencing a very positive trend in public safety, with a 29.6% decrease in total crime over the last 12 months. This significant reduction suggests that the area is becoming increasingly secure. Analysis of the monthly trend data shows that crime rates have remained consistently low throughout the year, with most months recording between 0.8 and 3.2 crimes per 1,000 people.

There was a slight peak in activity during April 2025, reaching 6.3 crimes per 1,000, and another smaller rise in October 2025 to 4.7. However, these figures are still extremely low by national standards. Many months, such as December 2024, January 2025, and August 2025, recorded the absolute minimum rate of 0.8, indicating long periods with almost no reported crime. For residents, this downward trend and the frequency of very low-crime months provide a high level of reassurance regarding the safety and stability of the Ditchingham community.

How To Keep Safe in Ditchingham

With violence and sexual offences being the most reported category in Ditchingham, personal awareness and community vigilance are important. Here are some tailored safety suggestions:

• Secure Your Vehicles at Night: Vehicle crime accounts for 26% of incidents between 12am and 6am. Ensure your car is locked, the alarm is set, and no valuables are left inside, even if parked on a private driveway.
• Vandalism Prevention: Criminal damage is the second most common crime. Consider installing motion-sensor lighting around the exterior of your home and outbuildings to deter opportunistic vandals.
• Daytime Awareness: Burglary and theft are slightly more common in the afternoon. Ensure that even if you are just in the garden, your front door and accessible windows remain locked.
• Community Watch: Stay connected with your neighbours. In a low-crime area like Ditchingham, unusual activity is easily spotted. Sharing information can prevent small issues from becoming trends.
• Report All Incidents: Even minor cases of anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police. This helps local authorities allocate resources effectively to keep the area's crime rate on its current downward trend.

Crime in Ditchingham follows a pattern that reflects its quiet, residential nature. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crime types, which include anti-social behaviour and public order, are most prevalent, accounting for 57% and 74% of incidents respectively. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) sees a relative increase in theft-related offences, making up 24% of reports, suggesting opportunistic activity during daylight hours. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is notable for a significant shift in the type of crime; vehicle crime accounts for 26% of all incidents during these hours, and the proportion of burglary remains at its peak of 17%. While the total number of crimes is low, these patterns suggest that property and vehicles are most vulnerable during the night, while community-based issues are more likely to be reported during the day and evening.

In the local context, Ditchingham stands out as a particularly secure location. It is significantly safer than the nearby town of Bungay, which has a crime rate of 59.1, and the village of Geldeston, which records 42.7 crimes per 1,000 people. While it is slightly more active than the tiny rural hamlets of Earsham and Ellingham and Kirby Cane—both of which recorded zero crimes—Ditchingham offers a very high level of safety for a settlement of its size. For those looking at the South Norfolk and North Suffolk border, Ditchingham provides a peaceful residential environment with crime levels far below the regional and national averages.

While Ditchingham’s crime rate is decreasing, the fact that criminal damage is the second most common crime suggests that residents should still take property protection seriously. Traditional security systems often fail because they are reactive; they tell you someone was on your property after they have already caused damage or stolen an item.

For residents who want to maintain Ditchingham's high safety standards, scOS offers a proactive solution. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. If an intruder or vandal enters your property at night—when vehicle crime proportions are at their highest—scOS identifies the threat immediately. It can then autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audible warnings to stop the crime before it happens. Because scOS learns the difference between your family, a delivery driver, and a genuine threat, you won't be bothered by false alarms. This level of professional-grade protection ensures that your home remains a hard target, preserving the security of your property in this low-crime area.