Crime in Harleston: statistics, rates and trends
249 crimes were recorded in Harleston in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.9 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 Harleston at a glance
- Crime trends in Harleston
- Types of crime in Harleston
- Harleston compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Harleston
- Streets with the most crime in Harleston
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harleston
- Population and deprivation in Harleston
- Questions about crime in Harleston
- About this data
249 crimes were recorded in Harleston in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.9 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 112 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Harleston has the 1,208th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harleston | South Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 249 | 7,239 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 46.9 | 48.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +22% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 5,310 | 148,448 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harleston was highest in the year to July 2022 (376 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (204). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 249 | 46.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 204 | 38.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 255 | 48.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 340 | 64.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 376 | 70.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 367 | 69.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 242 | 45.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 225 | 42.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 240 | 45.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 24 |
| June 2026 | 21 |
| May 2026 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 13 |
| March 2026 | 22 |
| February 2026 | 33 |
| January 2026 | 35 |
| December 2025 | 18 |
| November 2025 | 11 |
| October 2025 | 15 |
| September 2025 | 22 |
| August 2025 | 11 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harleston 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 anti-social behaviour (+87%) and violence and sexual offences (+11%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 112 | 21.1 | 0.62 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 43 | 8.1 | 0.53 | +87% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 29 | 5.5 | 0.81 | +61% |
| Burglary | 11 | 2.1 | 0.59 | +57% |
| Public order | 11 | 2.1 | 0.31 | -31% |
| Vehicle crime | 11 | 2.1 | 0.42 | +83% |
| Other theft | 9 | 1.7 | 0.27 | -36% |
| Shoplifting | 8 | 1.5 | 0.18 | +14% |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.3 | 0.40 | +250% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.8 | 0.36 | -43% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 0.39 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.23 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.11 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Harleston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harleston recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 45.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harleston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harleston recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 87% on the year before. It made up 17.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harleston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harleston recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harleston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harleston recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harleston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harleston recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harleston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harleston recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harleston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harleston recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harleston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harleston recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harleston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harleston recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 250% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harleston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harleston recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harleston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harleston recorded 2 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harleston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harleston recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harleston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harleston recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Harleston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harleston.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Stratton | 181 | 29.6 | -37% |
| Bungay | 285 | 55.0 | +17% |
| Diss | 728 | 73.5 | +57% |
| Halesworth | 300 | 58.8 | +25% |
| Beccles | 652 | 63.5 | +35% |
| Poringland | 254 | 36.2 | -23% |
| Wymondham (South Norfolk) | 1,349 | 74.1 | +58% |
| Cringleford | 362 | 60.8 | +30% |
1 areas within Harleston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Harleston had the highest rate (46.9 per 1,000) and Harleston the lowest (46.9). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harleston | Neighbourhood | 5,310 | 249 | 46.9 |
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 Harleston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Barley Close | 17 |
| On or near Malthouse Court | 16 |
| On or near Station Road | 12 |
| On or near Robin Avenue | 11 |
| On or near Tudor Rose Way | 11 |
| On or near Exchange Street | 10 |
| On or near Harvest Way | 10 |
| On or near Chaffinch Mews | 8 |
| On or near Mendham Close | 8 |
| On or near Bullock Fair Close | 7 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harleston 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 | 95 | 38.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 45 | 18.1% |
| Not recorded | 43 | 17.3% |
| Under investigation | 25 | 10.0% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 4.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 2.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% |
Harleston has an estimated population of 5,310. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harleston sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harleston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.2% |
| Social rented homes | 15.5% |
| Private rented homes | 16.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 |
Is Harleston a safe place to live?
Harleston recorded 46.9 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 Harleston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (43).
Is crime in Harleston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harleston was up 22% on the year before: 249 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 204 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harleston?
Harleston 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 Harleston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.