Crime in East Downham: statistics, rates and trends
154 crimes were recorded in East Downham in the 12 months to August 2026, 47.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in East Downham at a glance
- Crime trends in East Downham
- Types of crime in East Downham
- East Downham compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in East Downham
- What happened after crimes were reported in East Downham
- Demographics of East Downham
- Questions about crime in East Downham
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (67), other theft (27) and criminal damage and arson (17) made up 72% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,130th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | East Downham | King's Lynn and West Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 154 | 10,306 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 47.4 | 66.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 3,251 | 156,206 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in East Downham peaked in the year to August 2022 (179 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2023 (151). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 10%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 154 | 47.4 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 157 | 48.3 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 174 | 53.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 151 | 46.4 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 179 | 55.1 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 174 | 53.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 158 | 48.6 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 161 | 49.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 171 | 52.6 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 7 |
| July 2026 | 17 |
| June 2026 | 10 |
| May 2026 | 14 |
| April 2026 | 23 |
| March 2026 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 19 |
| December 2025 | 3 |
| November 2025 | 10 |
| October 2025 | 8 |
| September 2025 | 15 |
Compared with England and Wales, East Downham recorded notably more other theft (29% above the national rate), and notably less violence and sexual offences (40% below).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 67 | 20.6 | 34.2 | -1% |
| Other theft | 27 | 8.3 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Criminal damage and arson | 17 | 5.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Anti-social behaviour | 11 | 3.4 | 15.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 9 | 2.8 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Drugs | 5 | 1.5 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Burglary | 4 | 1.2 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 4 | 1.2 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 3 | 0.9 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 3 | 0.9 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
4 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than East Downham; the highest is Downham Old Town (111.3 per 1,000) and the lowest Airfield (28.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs East Downham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downham Old Town | 357 | 111.3 | +135% |
| Watlington | 132 | 34.5 | -27% |
| Airfield | 206 | 28.3 | -40% |
| Upwell & Delph | 202 | 38.0 | -20% |
| Tilney, Mershe Lande & Wiggenhall | 322 | 51.8 | +9% |
| Emneth & Outwell | 417 | 80.0 | +69% |
| West Winch | 267 | 58.6 | +24% |
| Feltwell | 176 | 28.4 | -40% |
The 10 locations below account for 64% of the crime recorded in East Downham over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Low Road” (20).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Low Road | 20 |
| On or near Wordsworth Close | 18 |
| On or near Rosemary Way | 12 |
| On or near Elderflower Way | 11 |
| On or near Bexwell Road | 9 |
| On or near Bridle Lane | 8 |
| On or near Lowry Way | 7 |
| On or near Basil Drive | 5 |
| On or near Gainsborough Close | 4 |
| On or near Matisse Court | 4 |
Of the 143 crimes in East Downham with a recorded outcome, 28% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.2% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 11 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 71 | 49.7% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 40 | 28.0% | 35.3% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 5.6% | 3.1% |
| Under investigation | 8 | 5.6% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 4.2% | 5.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.7% | 0.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 1 | 0.7% | 4.7% |
East Downham has an estimated population of 3,251 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (10%, against 23%), more children (22%, against 18%) and fewer residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (27%, against 34%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up East Downham average decile 6.0 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | East Downham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.3% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 61.2% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 19.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.9% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 26.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 15.9% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 10.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.7% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 19.4% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is East Downham a safe place to live?
East Downham recorded 47.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,130th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were other theft.
What is the most common crime in East Downham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 67 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by other theft (27).
Is crime in East Downham going up or down?
Recorded crime in East Downham was down 2% on the year before: 154 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 157 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of East Downham?
About 3,251 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 16% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers East Downham?
East Downham is policed by Norfolk.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.