Hingham Crime Rate

Hingham is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 37.0 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This secure profile is reflected in its impressive safety score of 90/100, placing it well above the national benchmark of 78/100. The area is currently experiencing a positive shift in its safety landscape, with crime figures decreasing by 14.8% year-over-year. This downward trend, combined with a low property crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000, suggests a stable and secure environment for residents. The following data provides a detailed analysis of local crime types, temporal patterns, and regional comparisons to help you understand the safety context of Hingham.

Crime in Hingham

The most significant crime type in Hingham is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 52.2% of all recorded incidents with a rate of 19.3 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by public order offences at 12.2% and criminal damage and arson at 9.6%.

The overall property crime rate, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson, stands at 8.4 per 1,000 people. While Hingham remains a low-crime area, the presence of theft and criminal damage suggests that residents should remain vigilant regarding home and outbuilding security. For homeowners, this means that while the statistical likelihood of a break-in is low—with burglary representing only 0.9% of total crime—maintaining visible security measures is still a prudent step to deter opportunistic activity.

Crime Trends in Hingham

Hingham is currently experiencing a significant downward trend in crime. The overall crime rate has decreased by 14.8% year-over-year, indicating a substantial improvement in local safety. Monthly data from the past year shows a fluctuating but generally low pattern. The highest crime rate was recorded in January 2025 at 5.8 per 1,000, followed by a steady decline through the spring.

A notable low point occurred in August 2025, where the rate dropped to just 0.6 per 1,000 residents. While there was a slight uptick in the autumn months, the figures have remained well below the peaks seen in previous years. This sustained reduction suggests that Hingham is becoming increasingly secure, providing a reassuring outlook for current and prospective residents.

How To Keep Safe in Hingham

The most prevalent crime type in Hingham is violence and sexual offences, which often includes verbal disputes and anti-social behaviour. To stay safe and maintain the area's high safety standards, consider these tips:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking alone at night, staying to well-lit main roads rather than taking shortcuts through unlit footpaths.
2. Ensure that your home's boundary is well-defined; well-maintained fences and clear visibility can deter anti-social behaviour near your property.
3. If you witness public order issues or anti-social behaviour, report them to the local police non-emergency line to help them map and respond to local patterns.
4. Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any unusual activity in the Hingham area.
5. Secure your vehicle overnight, as vehicle crime is the most common night-time offence, even in safe areas like Hingham.

Crime in Hingham follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the most prominent issue, accounting for 51% of incidents. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), where theft-related offences rise to 60%. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' miscellaneous crimes become the majority at 59%, while theft drops to 23%. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a significant shift, with vehicle crime peaking at 37% of all activity. Burglary remains consistently low throughout the 24-hour cycle, peaking slightly at 6% during the night. These patterns suggest that daytime vigilance should focus on personal property and retail security, while night-time precautions should centre on vehicle safety and home perimeter security.

When comparing Hingham to its immediate neighbours, the area sits in a very low-crime corridor. Wicklewood, Garvestone, and Rockland All Saints all reported zero crimes in the latest period, representing exceptionally quiet rural settlements. In contrast, Great Ellingham has a higher crime rate of 51.2 per 1,000 residents. Hingham's rate of 37.0 per 1,000 positions it as a very safe middle ground, offering more urban amenities than its smaller neighbours while maintaining a crime profile that is significantly lower than many other built-up areas in South Norfolk.

With a property crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000, Hingham is a low-risk area, but the nature of modern crime means that prevention is always better than reaction. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you or record footage after a person has already approached your door or entered your property. In a community like Hingham, where residents value peace and privacy, a proactive approach is more suitable.

The scOS operating system uses AI to detect threats at your property boundary, effectively preventing crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine threat, only alerting you when necessary. If a suspicious individual is detected, the system can autonomously activate lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise that most opportunists rely on. This proactive deterrence is far more effective than simply having a recording of a crime after the fact.