Crime in Downham Old Town: statistics, rates and trends

361 crimes were recorded in Downham Old Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 122 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Downham Old Town has the 959th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Downham Old Town was highest in the year to July 2025 (427 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (343). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 Downham Old Town 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. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+38%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-40%) and criminal damage and arson (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Downham Old Town

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Downham Old Town recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 33.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Downham Old Town

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Downham Old Town recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Downham Old Town

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Downham Old Town recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 17.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Downham Old Town

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Downham Old Town recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Downham Old Town

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Downham Old Town recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Downham Old Town

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Downham Old Town recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Downham Old Town

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Downham Old Town recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Downham Old Town

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Downham Old Town recorded 8 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 50% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Downham Old Town

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Downham Old Town recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Downham Old Town

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Downham Old Town recorded 4 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 up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Downham Old Town

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Downham Old Town recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Downham Old Town

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Downham Old Town recorded 2 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 down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Downham Old Town

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Downham Old Town recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Downham Old Town, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Downham Old Town.

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 Downham Old Town over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Downham Old Town 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.

Downham Old Town has an estimated population of 3,208. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Downham Old Town sits in decile 3.7, more 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 Downham Old Town. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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