Crime in South Norfolk: statistics, rates and trends

7,239 crimes were recorded in South Norfolk in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,222 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, South Norfolk has the 295th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Norfolk was highest in the year to July 2021 (8,004 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (6,498). Over the whole period it rose 11%, 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 South 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 possession of weapons (+29%) and bicycle theft (+29%).

The largest falls were in shoplifting (-26%) and vehicle crime (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Norfolk

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Norfolk recorded 3,222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 44.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Norfolk

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Norfolk recorded 857 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Norfolk

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Norfolk recorded 701 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Norfolk

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Norfolk recorded 489 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Norfolk

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Norfolk recorded 476 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 up 1% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Norfolk

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Norfolk recorded 460 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Norfolk

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Norfolk recorded 368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Norfolk

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Norfolk recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Norfolk

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Norfolk recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Norfolk

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Norfolk recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Norfolk

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Norfolk recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Norfolk

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Norfolk recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Norfolk

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Norfolk recorded 27 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 23% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Norfolk

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Norfolk recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

54 areas within South Norfolk, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. South Wymondham had the highest rate (106.6 per 1,000) and Tasburgh the lowest (10.0). 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 South Norfolk over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South 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.

South Norfolk has an estimated population of 148,448. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Norfolk sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. 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 South Norfolk. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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