Crime Rate in Watton: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watton

The total recorded crimes in Watton, Breckland, UK in July 2025 are around 43 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watton crime rate of 4.96 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (15) incidents (-6.25% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (7) incidents (600.00% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (5) incidents (-44.44% decrease)
Watton Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 7
  • Mary Shanks Close with total crimes: 4
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 4

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 July 2025 the Watton has recorded 43 crimes with crime rate of 4.96 ranking 7th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Watton)CrimesRank (Watton)CrimesRank (Watton)
Dereham Neatherd108 11,139 11,058 1
Thetford Priory79 21,031 21,006 2
Thetford Burrell67 4912 3832 3
Thetford Castle70 3749 5761 5
Bedingfeld41 8421 9794 4
Swaffham59 5802 4560 6
Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe45 6439 7430 8
Dereham Toftwood31 12429 8371 9
All Saints & Wayland35 9377 10299 14
Lincoln33 11323 12324 10
Dereham Withburga34 10344 11317 11
Saham Toney27 13308 13310 12
Thetford Boudica21 18270 15302 13
Mattishall24 16274 14226 15
Nar Valley26 14132 23164 18
Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft25 15196 17156 21
Hermitage15 19219 16186 16
Forest23 17193 18169 17
The Buckenhams & Banham10 22173 20162 19
Upper Wensum12 20175 19160 20
Shipdham-with-Scarning7 24167 21137 23
Harling & Heathlands11 21106 24131 24
Guiltcross2 27138 22141 22
Necton10 2394 2586 25
Launditch6 2574 2776 26
Ashill3 2684 2674 27

Watton Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 15 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 7 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (16 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (9 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 21 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.62 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20251
May 20253
April 20252
March 20252
February 20252
November 20243
October 20246

A total of 46 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 4.60 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20259
May 20253
April 20256
March 20254
February 20258
January 20253
December 20241
November 20243
October 20244

A total of 169 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 16.90 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202516
May 202514
April 202516
March 202523
February 20259
January 202515
December 202416
November 202419
October 202426

A total of 41 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 4.10 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20251
May 20253
April 20256
March 20254
February 20253
January 20252
December 20244
November 20244
October 20247

A total of 6 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20252
January 20251
December 20241
October 20241

A total of 22 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.20 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20253
May 20252
April 20251
March 20252
February 20252
January 20251
December 20244
November 20243
October 20241

A total of 14 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20252
March 20251
February 20251
December 20243
November 20242

A total of 9 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.80 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20251
April 20252
December 20241
November 20242

A total of 7 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
May 20251
April 20253
March 20251

A total of 2 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
March 20251

A total of 18 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.57 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

A total of 1 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 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

A total of 1 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 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

High Crime Locations Watton in July 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Other theft1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
2. Mary Shanks Close (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Akrotiri Square (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Middle Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
6. Beechwood Avenue (Map)
Total2
Shoplifting1
Vehicle crime1
7. Petrol Station (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
8. Jubilee Road (Map)
Total1
Other theft1
9. Goat Willow Close (Map)
Total1
Anti-social behaviour1
10. Eastern Road (Map)
Total1
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.