Crime in Downham Market: statistics, rates and trends
687 crimes were recorded in Downham Market in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Downham Market at a glance
- Crime trends in Downham Market
- Types of crime in Downham Market
- Downham Market compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Downham Market
- Streets with the most crime in Downham Market
- What happened after crimes were reported in Downham Market
- Population and deprivation in Downham Market
- Questions about crime in Downham Market
- About this data
687 crimes were recorded in Downham Market in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 259 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Downham Market has the 952nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Downham Market | King's Lynn and West Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 687 | 10,245 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.7 | 65.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 11,309 | 156,206 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Downham Market was highest in the year to July 2022 (818 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (661). Over the whole period it fell 2%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 687 | 60.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 762 | 67.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 733 | 64.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 755 | 66.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 818 | 72.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 694 | 61.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 706 | 62.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 661 | 58.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 703 | 62.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 71 |
| June 2026 | 43 |
| May 2026 | 52 |
| April 2026 | 57 |
| March 2026 | 62 |
| February 2026 | 63 |
| January 2026 | 60 |
| December 2025 | 45 |
| November 2025 | 50 |
| October 2025 | 64 |
| September 2025 | 57 |
| August 2025 | 63 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Downham Market 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 other theft (+49%) and shoplifting (+40%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-62%) and other crime (-43%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 259 | 22.9 | 0.67 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 110 | 9.7 | 0.63 | -41% |
| Shoplifting | 73 | 6.5 | 0.78 | +40% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 63 | 5.6 | 0.82 | -17% |
| Other theft | 58 | 5.1 | 0.80 | +49% |
| Public order | 43 | 3.8 | 0.57 | -25% |
| Drugs | 26 | 2.3 | 0.70 | +18% |
| Burglary | 17 | 1.5 | 0.43 | +55% |
| Other crime | 17 | 1.5 | 0.71 | -43% |
| Vehicle crime | 9 | 0.8 | 0.16 | -62% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.4 | 0.54 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.4 | 0.36 | -43% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.13 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Downham Market
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Downham Market recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 37.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Downham Market
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Downham Market recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Downham Market
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Downham Market recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Downham Market
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Downham Market recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Downham Market
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Downham Market recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Downham Market
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Downham Market recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Downham Market
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Downham Market recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Downham Market
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Downham Market recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Downham Market
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Downham Market recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Downham Market
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Downham Market recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Downham Market
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Downham Market recorded 5 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 down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Downham Market
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Downham Market recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Downham Market
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Downham Market recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Downham Market
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Downham Market recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Downham Market, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Downham Market.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Downham Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elm and Emneth | 402 | 71.9 | +18% |
| Wisbech | 3,391 | 131.9 | +117% |
| Littleport | 651 | 74.7 | +23% |
| King's Lynn | 5,565 | 112.5 | +85% |
| March | 2,097 | 97.2 | +60% |
| Swaffham | 601 | 79.2 | +30% |
| Lakenheath | 244 | 48.2 | -21% |
| Doddington and Wimblington | 282 | 56.2 | -7% |
4 areas within Downham Market, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Downham Old Town had the highest rate (112.5 per 1,000) and North Downham the lowest (27.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downham Old Town | Neighbourhood | 3,208 | 361 | 112.5 |
| East Downham | Neighbourhood | 3,251 | 164 | 50.4 |
| South Downham | Neighbourhood | 2,358 | 93 | 39.4 |
| North Downham | Neighbourhood | 2,492 | 69 | 27.7 |
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 Market over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Court Gardens | 58 |
| On or near Parking Area | 48 |
| On or near Supermarket | 44 |
| On or near James Scott Close | 21 |
| On or near Low Road | 21 |
| On or near Norfolk Square | 21 |
| On or near Snowdrop Grove | 17 |
| On or near St Winnold Close | 17 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 16 |
| On or near Wordsworth Close | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Downham Market 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 252 | 36.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 124 | 18.0% |
| Not recorded | 110 | 16.0% |
| Under investigation | 53 | 7.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 46 | 6.7% |
| Local resolution | 45 | 6.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 21 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 1.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Downham Market has an estimated population of 11,309. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Downham Market sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Downham Market |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.0% |
| Social rented homes | 11.3% |
| Private rented homes | 21.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
Is Downham Market a safe place to live?
Downham Market recorded 60.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Downham Market?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (110).
Is crime in Downham Market going up or down?
Recorded crime in Downham Market was down 10% on the year before: 687 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 762 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Downham Market?
Downham Market is policed by Norfolk. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Market. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.