Crime Rate in Watton: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watton

The total recorded crimes in Watton, Breckland, UK in May 2025 are around 28 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watton crime rate of 3.23 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 Watton, encompassing approximately 8,668 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (14) incidents (-12.50% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (3) incidents (-50.00% decrease)
  • Other theft: (3) incidents (50.00% increase)
Watton Crime Hotspots

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

  • Middle Street with total crimes: 4
  • Beechwood Avenue with total crimes: 4
  • St Mary'S Close with total crimes: 2

How safe is Watton?

To understand the safety of Watton, we need to analyze Watton crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Breckland:

    • In 2024, Watton reported a higher crime volume than the Breckland average, with 605 crimes compared to 377. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Watton witnessed more crimes than 21 out of 26 other areas in the Breckland.

    • In 2023, Watton experienced a greater number of crimes than the Breckland average, with 528 crimes compared to 361. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Watton witnessed more crimes than 20 out of 26 other areas in the Breckland.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Breckland, Watton has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Watton Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Watton has recorded 28 crimes with crime rate of 3.23 ranking 11th out of 26 in the Breckland, UK

In 2024, the total Watton crimes were 605. The crime rate of Watton in 2024 was 69.80 (year) or 5.82 (month) ranking it 6 dangerous area in the Breckland.

In 2023, the total crimes in Watton were around 528 crimes with yearly crime rate of 60.91 (year) or 5.08 (month) ranking 7 most dangerous area in the Breckland.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Watton)CrimesRank (Watton)CrimesRank (Watton)
Dereham Neatherd89 11,139 11,058 1
Thetford Priory69 31,031 21,006 2
Swaffham80 2802 4560 6
Thetford Burrell36 6912 3832 3
Bedingfeld12 22421 9794 4
Thetford Castle61 4749 5761 5
Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe48 5439 7430 8
Dereham Toftwood33 7429 8371 9
Mattishall32 8274 14226 15
All Saints & Wayland29 9377 10299 14
Lincoln28 10323 12324 10
Dereham Withburga15 16344 11317 11
Saham Toney14 18308 13310 12
Thetford Boudica23 12270 15302 13
Guiltcross22 13138 22141 22
Ashill18 1484 2674 27
Shipdham-with-Scarning16 15167 21137 23
Hermitage9 25219 16186 16
Forest14 19193 18169 17
Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft15 17196 17156 21
Nar Valley11 23132 23164 18
The Buckenhams & Banham13 20173 20162 19
Upper Wensum13 21175 19160 20
Harling & Heathlands6 27106 24131 24
Necton11 2494 2586 25
Launditch7 2674 2776 26

Watton Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (14 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (3 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Criminal damage and arson (6 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (23 incidents) and then Criminal damage and arson showed a substantial number of incidents (4 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 9 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 8 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (15 reports) and Other crime incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 16 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 4 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (19 reports) and Criminal damage and arson incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (26 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (7 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (14 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (8 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (20 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (9 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 26 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 15 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (46 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (12 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (27 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (15 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 271 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 20.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202516
March 202523
February 20259
January 202515
December 202416
November 202419
October 202426
September 202414
August 202420
July 202426
June 202446
May 202427

A total of 67 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20256
March 20254
February 20253
January 20252
December 20244
November 20244
October 20247
September 20245
August 20246
July 20245
June 202410
May 20248

A total of 33 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.54 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20252
February 20252
January 20251
December 20244
November 20243
October 20241
September 20241
August 20247
July 20242
June 20244
May 20243

A total of 34 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.09 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20252
March 20252
February 20252
November 20243
October 20246
September 20241
August 20242
July 20243
June 20246
May 20244

A total of 91 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20256
March 20254
February 20258
January 20253
December 20241
November 20243
October 20244
September 20248
August 20249
July 202415
June 202412
May 202415

A total of 8 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20253
March 20251
September 20241
August 20241
July 20241

A total of 13 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.62 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
January 20251
December 20241
October 20241
September 20242
July 20241
June 20242
May 20243

A total of 8 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
December 20241
November 20242
September 20241
May 20242

A total of 25 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.50 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20255
March 20252
February 20253
January 20254
December 20241
November 20242
October 20241
September 20241
August 20242
June 20244

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
September 20241
July 20241
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 16 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.29 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20251
December 20243
November 20242
September 20241
June 20244
May 20244

A total of 3 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
September 20241
May 20241

A total of 2 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20241
August 20241

High Crime Locations Watton in May 2025

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

1. Middle Street (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences2
2. Beechwood Avenue (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson1
3. St Mary'S Close (Map)
Total2
Other theft2
4. East Road (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
5. Byfords Way (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Canon Close (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Adcock Road (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Novak Drive (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Lovell Gardens (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
10. Saddlers Drive (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.