Crime in Harleston: statistics, rates and trends
274 crimes were recorded in Harleston in the 12 months to August 2026, 51.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 34% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Harleston
- Questions about crime in Harleston
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (133), anti-social behaviour (46) and criminal damage and arson (29) made up 76% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,119th of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Harleston | South Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 274 | 7,321 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 51.6 | 49.3 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +34% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 5,310 | 148,448 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Harleston peaked in the year to August 2021 (369 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2025 (204). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 17%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 274 | 51.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 204 | 38.4 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 239 | 45.0 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 345 | 65.0 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 368 | 69.3 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 369 | 69.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 248 | 46.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 226 | 42.6 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 235 | 44.3 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 36 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and anti-social behaviour (44% below) and violence and sexual offences (27% below) were well below it. On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 24 to 46 and violence and sexual offences rose from 100 to 133.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 133 | 25.0 | 34.2 | +33% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 46 | 8.7 | 15.4 | +92% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 29 | 5.5 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Public order | 12 | 2.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 11 | 2.1 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 11 | 2.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 8 | 1.5 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other theft | 7 | 1.3 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 7 | 1.3 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Harleston; the highest is Diss (78.5 per 1,000) and the lowest Long Stratton (28.8).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Stratton | 176 | 28.8 | -44% |
| Bungay | 280 | 54.0 | +5% |
| Diss | 778 | 78.5 | +52% |
| Halesworth | 276 | 54.1 | +5% |
| Beccles | 637 | 62.0 | +20% |
| Poringland | 264 | 37.6 | -27% |
| Wymondham (South Norfolk) | 1,340 | 73.6 | +43% |
| Cringleford | 350 | 58.8 | +14% |
Harleston is the one area listed within Harleston, with 51.6 crimes per 1,000 residents.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harleston | Neighbourhood | 5,310 | 274 | 51.6 |
The 10 locations below account for 46% of the crime recorded in Harleston over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Barley Close” (25).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Barley Close | 25 |
| On or near Malthouse Court | 18 |
| On or near Exchange Street | 12 |
| On or near Harvest Way | 12 |
| On or near Station Road | 12 |
| On or near Tudor Rose Way | 12 |
| On or near Chaffinch Mews | 9 |
| On or near Robin Avenue | 9 |
| On or near Mendham Close | 8 |
| On or near Rainey Court | 8 |
Of the 228 crimes in Harleston with a recorded outcome, 22% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 46 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 103 | 45.2% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 50 | 21.9% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 32 | 14.0% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 5.7% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 9 | 3.9% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 3.5% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 3.1% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.9% | 2.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.9% | 0.6% |
Harleston has an estimated population of 5,310 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (31%, against 19%), fewer students (3.5%, against 7.9%) and more retired residents (32%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Harleston average decile 5.8 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Harleston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 30.6% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 53.0% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.4% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 32.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.5% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 22.8% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.2% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.2% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 15.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 16.3% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Harleston a safe place to live?
Harleston recorded 51.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,119th of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Harleston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 133 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (46).
Is crime in Harleston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harleston was up 34% on the year before: 274 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 204 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Harleston?
About 5,310 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 31% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Harleston?
Harleston 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.