Long Stratton Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

A sharp 100% increase in violence and sexual offences — from seven to 14 incidents — stands out as the most unexpected shift in Long Stratton’s crime profile for January 2024. This surge, which now accounts for 51.9% of all reported crimes, contrasts with the area’s generally low crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents — 39.2% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. The seasonal context of January, with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, likely contributes to this anomaly. Violent crime typically aligns with post-holiday patterns, but the scale of this increase deserves closer attention. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson remained notable, with the former 33.3% lower than December 2023 and the latter 23% above the UK average. The area’s overall crime mix shows a stark imbalance, with property crimes making up only 25.9% of the total (7 incidents), compared to 74.1% in violent and sexual offences. This divergence from typical UK patterns, where property crimes often dominate, suggests local factors — such as the built-up area’s proximity to rural zones or community dynamics — may be influencing crime distribution. The low crime rate overall, despite the violent spike, underscores Long Stratton’s status as a relatively safe built-up area within South Norfolk, though the January data highlights the need for targeted monitoring of violent crime trends.

January 2024 saw three significant month-on-month shifts in Long Stratton’s crime profile. Violence and sexual offences surged by 100%, jumping from seven to 14 incidents — the most substantial increase of any category. This spike, which now exceeds the UK average for this category by 12%, raises questions about local triggers, though seasonal factors such as post-holiday stress or reduced community vigilance may play a role. Bicycle theft, typically a minor concern, also doubled from zero to one incident — a 100% increase — suggesting heightened vulnerability in this category despite the area’s low overall crime rate. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 33.3%, dropping from six to four incidents, possibly reflecting quieter winter conditions or effective local interventions. The crime mix also shifted sharply: violent crime now constitutes 74.1% of all reported crimes, compared to property crimes at 25.9%. This imbalance is starkly different from UK-wide trends, where property crimes typically dominate. Other crime — a category that includes fraud and cybercrime — was 114% above the UK average, though the single incident reported may not be statistically significant. Residents might find the 100% increase in violence and sexual offences particularly concerning, given the area’s overall safety record.

Long Stratton’s January 2024 crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents represents a 28.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000 — a rise that, while notable, remains well below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day in January, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 224 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 136 residents annually. The population context further highlights the area’s relative safety: with 6,046 residents, even a small increase in crime can feel pronounced. The 28.8% month-on-month rise, however, suggests a temporary fluctuation rather than a long-term trend, particularly given the low base rate. For residents, the key takeaway is that while Long Stratton remains a low-crime area compared to the UK, the 100% increase in violent crime may indicate a need for localized awareness or community engagement strategies. The comparison to the UK average also underscores the area’s unique characteristics — its rural-urban interface, small population, and possibly lower levels of anonymity — which may contribute to both its overall safety and the volatility of specific crime types.