Crime in North Norfolk: statistics, rates and trends

5,232 crimes were recorded in North Norfolk in the 12 months to July 2026, 50.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,333 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, North Norfolk has the 291st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in North Norfolk was highest in the year to July 2022 (6,264 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (4,821). Over the whole period it rose 3%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in North Norfolk over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in drugs (+54%) and possession of weapons (+35%). The largest falls were in burglary (-35%) and shoplifting (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in North Norfolk

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. North Norfolk recorded 2,333 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in North Norfolk

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. North Norfolk recorded 836 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in North Norfolk

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. North Norfolk recorded 466 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in North Norfolk

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. North Norfolk recorded 372 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in North Norfolk

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. North Norfolk recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in North Norfolk

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. North Norfolk recorded 324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in North Norfolk

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. North Norfolk recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in North Norfolk

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. North Norfolk recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in North Norfolk

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. North Norfolk recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in North Norfolk

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. North Norfolk recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in North Norfolk

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. North Norfolk recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in North Norfolk

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. North Norfolk recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in North Norfolk

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. North Norfolk recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in North Norfolk

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. North Norfolk recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to North Norfolk, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to North Norfolk.

50 areas within North Norfolk, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Sheringham North had the highest rate (118.7 per 1,000) and Hickling (North Norfolk) the lowest (16.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in North Norfolk over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in North Norfolk over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

North Norfolk has an estimated population of 103,217. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in North Norfolk sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to North Norfolk. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.