Crime Rate in Breckland: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Breckland

The total recorded crimes in Breckland, UK in May 2025 are around 752 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Breckland crime rate of 5.32 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Breckland, encompassing approximately 141,477 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (344) incidents (7.50% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (112) incidents (9.80% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (72) incidents (14.29% increase)
Breckland Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 14
  • Well Street with total crimes: 11
  • Gipsy Lane with total crimes: 9

Breckland Police Info:

Norfolk Constabulary

How safe is Breckland?

To understand the safety of Breckland, we need to analyze Breckland crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Breckland has recorded 10,174 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 71.91 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 250 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 9,760 crimes with a crime rate of 68.99, ranking it 244 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Norfolk:

    • In 2024, Breckland demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Norfolk average, with 10174 crimes compared to 10835.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year.

    • In 2023, Breckland had fewer crimes than the Norfolk average, with 9,760 crimes compared to 9,864. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Breckland is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Norfolk, Breckland has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Breckland Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Dereham Neatherd (89 crimes), and the safest, Harling & Heathlands (6 crimes), is 83 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Breckland.

Similarly, the area of Dereham Central & Toftwood (97 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Bawdeswell, Swanton Morley & North Elmham (15 crimes), with a difference of 82 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Breckland.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Dereham Neatherd89
Swaffham80
Thetford Priory69
Thetford Castle61
Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe48

Safest Wards:

Nar Valley11
Necton11
Hermitage9
Launditch7
Harling & Heathlands6

Most Dangerous Areas:

Dereham Central & Toftwood97
Swaffham80
Thetford North71
Thetford Central & East66
Attleborough58

Safest Areas:

East Harling, Garboldisham & Kenninghall28
Watton28
Mundford, Weeting & Forest26
Buckenhams & Snetterton18
Bawdeswell, Swanton Morley & North Elmham15

Breckland Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Breckland has recorded 752 crimes with crime rate of 5.32 ranking 289th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 3 in terms of crime rate in Norfolk.

In 2024, the total Breckland crimes were 10,174. The crime rate of Breckland in 2024 was 71.91 (year) or 5.99 (month) ranking it 250 danzarous in the UK. Breckland ranked 4 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Norfolk.

In 2023, the total crimes in Breckland were around 9,760 crimes with yearly crime rate of 68.99 (year) or 5.75 (month) ranking 244 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Norfolk, Breckland ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Breckland

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Norfolk)CrimesRank (Norfolk)CrimesRank (Norfolk)
Broadland455 76,094 75,733 7
South Norfolk681 68,378 67,440 6
North Norfolk587 56,487 56,153 5
King's Lynn and West Norfolk896 411,415 310,195 4
Great Yarmouth986 212,298 211,277 2
Norwich1,635 120,999 118,493 1

Breckland Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (344 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (112 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (320 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (102 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (303 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (110 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 293 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 108 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (353 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (89 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 307 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 72 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (289 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (108 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (370 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (99 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (323 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (111 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (320 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (164 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 345 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 155 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 22 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.20 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
February 20252
January 20252
December 20241
November 20242
October 20244
September 20241
August 20243
July 20244

A total of 220 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 20.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202529
March 202522
February 202523
January 202523
December 202413
November 202421
October 202416
September 202418
August 202422
July 202421

A total of 522 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 47.45 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202538
April 202542
March 202552
February 202553
January 202552
December 202454
November 202450
October 202456
September 202445
August 202443
July 202437

A total of 3567 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 324.27 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 370 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025344
April 2025320
March 2025303
February 2025293
January 2025353
December 2024307
November 2024289
October 2024370
September 2024323
August 2024320
July 2024345

A total of 23 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.09 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20252
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
September 20241
August 20242
July 20245

A total of 1230 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 111.82 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 164 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025112
April 2025102
March 2025110
February 2025108
January 202589
December 202472
November 2024108
October 202499
September 2024111
August 2024164
July 2024155

A total of 95 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.64 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20259
March 20258
February 202511
January 20259
December 20243
November 20249
October 20249
September 202411
August 20249
July 20248

A total of 304 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 27.64 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 44 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202528
March 202537
February 202524
January 202544
December 202428
November 202420
October 202423
September 202427
August 202421
July 202425

A total of 42 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.20 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20253
February 20253
January 20252
December 20244
November 20242
October 202410
September 20244
August 20245
July 20246

A total of 549 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 49.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202546
April 202551
March 202549
February 202538
January 202537
December 202433
November 202453
October 202436
September 202451
August 202473
July 202482

A total of 797 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 72.45 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 86 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202572
April 202563
March 202571
February 202586
January 202565
December 202467
November 202475
October 202470
September 202471
August 202481
July 202476

A total of 232 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 21.09 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202514
March 202529
February 202525
January 202524
December 202416
November 202417
October 202427
September 202419
August 202424
July 202419

A total of 214 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 19.45 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202520
March 202521
February 202524
January 202539
December 202414
November 202419
October 202417
September 202416
August 202417
July 202411

A total of 523 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 47.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 61 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202550
April 202545
March 202546
February 202546
January 202553
December 202453
November 202459
October 202461
September 202443
August 202426
July 202441

High Crime Locations Breckland in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Breckland postcode area is presented below.

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting14
2. Well Street (Map)
Total11
Public order5
Anti-social behaviour4
Shoplifting1
Robbery1
3. Gipsy Lane (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson3
4. Nightclub (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour2
Drugs1
5. Malthouse Court (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences5
Criminal damage and arson2
6. Petrol Station (Map)
Total7
Other theft4
Public order1
Drugs1
Anti-social behaviour1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.