Crime in Fakenham: statistics, rates and trends
684 crimes were recorded in Fakenham in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 22% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Fakenham at a glance
- Crime trends in Fakenham
- Types of crime in Fakenham
- Fakenham compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Fakenham
- Streets with the most crime in Fakenham
- What happened after crimes were reported in Fakenham
- Population and deprivation in Fakenham
- Questions about crime in Fakenham
- About this data
684 crimes were recorded in Fakenham in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 22% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 293 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Fakenham has the 552nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Fakenham | North Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 684 | 5,232 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.8 | 50.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +22% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 8,164 | 103,217 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Fakenham was highest in the year to July 2022 (844 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (468). Over the whole period it rose 34%, 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 | 684 | 83.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 560 | 68.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 468 | 57.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 580 | 71.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 844 | 103.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 593 | 72.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 517 | 63.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 546 | 66.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 510 | 62.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 74 |
| June 2026 | 65 |
| May 2026 | 88 |
| April 2026 | 61 |
| March 2026 | 64 |
| February 2026 | 45 |
| January 2026 | 49 |
| December 2025 | 44 |
| November 2025 | 49 |
| October 2025 | 53 |
| September 2025 | 47 |
| August 2025 | 45 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Fakenham 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 criminal damage and arson (+77%) and violence and sexual offences (+54%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-45%) and public order (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 293 | 35.9 | 1.05 | +54% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 105 | 12.9 | 0.84 | +35% |
| Shoplifting | 72 | 8.8 | 1.06 | -45% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 55 | 6.7 | 0.99 | +77% |
| Public order | 40 | 4.9 | 0.74 | -20% |
| Other theft | 36 | 4.4 | 0.69 | +24% |
| Drugs | 23 | 2.8 | 0.86 | +64% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.8 | 0.52 | +25% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.5 | 0.70 | -8% |
| Vehicle crime | 10 | 1.2 | 0.25 | +11% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.7 | 0.89 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.7 | 0.76 | +200% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.7 | 0.54 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.6 | 0.36 | +150% |
Violence and sexual offences in Fakenham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Fakenham recorded 293 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 42.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Fakenham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Fakenham recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 15.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Fakenham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Fakenham recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Fakenham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Fakenham recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 77% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Fakenham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Fakenham recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Fakenham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Fakenham recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Fakenham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Fakenham recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Fakenham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Fakenham recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Fakenham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Fakenham recorded 12 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 8% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Fakenham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Fakenham recorded 10 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 up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Fakenham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Fakenham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Fakenham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Fakenham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Fakenham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Fakenham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 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 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Fakenham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Fakenham recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Fakenham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Fakenham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Fakenham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dereham | 1,714 | 79.5 | -5% |
| Swaffham | 601 | 79.2 | -5% |
| Sheringham | 378 | 55.5 | -34% |
| Aylsham | 339 | 45.8 | -45% |
| Taverham and Drayton | 406 | 25.9 | -69% |
| Watton | 758 | 57.0 | -32% |
| Horsford | 208 | 33.4 | -60% |
| King's Lynn | 5,565 | 112.5 | +34% |
2 areas within Fakenham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lancaster South had the highest rate (98.9 per 1,000) and Lancaster North the lowest (65.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster South | Neighbourhood | 4,439 | 439 | 98.9 |
| Lancaster North | Neighbourhood | 3,725 | 245 | 65.8 |
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 Fakenham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 71 |
| On or near Star Meadow | 39 |
| On or near Norwich Street | 38 |
| On or near Saxon Way | 35 |
| On or near Baron'S Close | 30 |
| On or near Mill Court | 23 |
| On or near Station Close | 23 |
| On or near Market Place | 22 |
| On or near Ratcliffe Road | 22 |
| On or near Oak Street | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Fakenham 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 | 289 | 42.3% |
| Not recorded | 105 | 15.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 91 | 13.3% |
| Under investigation | 60 | 8.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 51 | 7.5% |
| Local resolution | 22 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 21 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 2.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 1.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.1% |
Fakenham has an estimated population of 8,164. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Fakenham sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Fakenham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.4% |
| Social rented homes | 17.2% |
| Private rented homes | 17.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
Is Fakenham a safe place to live?
Fakenham recorded 83.8 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 Fakenham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 293 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (105).
Is crime in Fakenham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Fakenham was up 22% on the year before: 684 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 560 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Fakenham?
Fakenham 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 Fakenham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.