Crime in King's Lynn: statistics, rates and trends
5,565 crimes were recorded in King's Lynn in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in King's Lynn at a glance
- Crime trends in King's Lynn
- Types of crime in King's Lynn
- King's Lynn compared with nearby towns
- Areas within King's Lynn
- Streets with the most crime in King's Lynn
- What happened after crimes were reported in King's Lynn
- Population and deprivation in King's Lynn
- Questions about crime in King's Lynn
- About this data
5,565 crimes were recorded in King's Lynn in the 12 months to July 2026, 112.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,362 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, King's Lynn has the 240th highest crime rate.
| Measure | King's Lynn | King's Lynn and West Norfolk | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,565 | 10,245 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 112.5 | 65.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 49,456 | 156,206 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in King's Lynn was highest in the year to July 2018 (6,654 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,565). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 5,565 | 112.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,737 | 116.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,705 | 115.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,248 | 126.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,553 | 132.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,156 | 124.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,083 | 123.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 6,465 | 130.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 6,654 | 134.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 576 |
| June 2026 | 547 |
| May 2026 | 526 |
| April 2026 | 518 |
| March 2026 | 444 |
| February 2026 | 394 |
| January 2026 | 380 |
| December 2025 | 389 |
| November 2025 | 442 |
| October 2025 | 423 |
| September 2025 | 468 |
| August 2025 | 458 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in King's Lynn 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. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in robbery (+55%) and theft from the person (+13%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-30%) and bicycle theft (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,362 | 47.8 | 1.39 | -0% |
| Shoplifting | 653 | 13.2 | 1.59 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 586 | 11.8 | 0.77 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 484 | 9.8 | 1.44 | +11% |
| Public order | 438 | 8.9 | 1.33 | -5% |
| Other theft | 261 | 5.3 | 0.83 | -9% |
| Drugs | 217 | 4.4 | 1.34 | -10% |
| Other crime | 142 | 2.9 | 1.36 | +9% |
| Burglary | 101 | 2.0 | 0.58 | +2% |
| Vehicle crime | 95 | 1.9 | 0.39 | -30% |
| Bicycle theft | 80 | 1.6 | 1.97 | -25% |
| Possession of weapons | 77 | 1.6 | 1.60 | -9% |
| Theft from the person | 35 | 0.7 | 0.42 | +13% |
| Robbery | 34 | 0.7 | 0.51 | +55% |
Violence and sexual offences in King's Lynn
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. King's Lynn recorded 2,362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 42.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in King's Lynn
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. King's Lynn recorded 653 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in King's Lynn
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. King's Lynn recorded 586 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in King's Lynn
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. King's Lynn recorded 484 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in King's Lynn
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. King's Lynn recorded 438 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in King's Lynn
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. King's Lynn recorded 261 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in King's Lynn
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. King's Lynn recorded 217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in King's Lynn
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. King's Lynn recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in King's Lynn
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. King's Lynn recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in King's Lynn
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. King's Lynn recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in King's Lynn
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. King's Lynn recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in King's Lynn
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. King's Lynn recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in King's Lynn
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. King's Lynn recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in King's Lynn
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. King's Lynn recorded 34 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 up 55% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to King's Lynn, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to King's Lynn.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs King's Lynn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downham Market | 687 | 60.7 | -46% |
| Wisbech | 3,391 | 131.9 | +17% |
| Long Sutton (South Holland) | 463 | 77.6 | -31% |
| Elm and Emneth | 402 | 71.9 | -36% |
| Swaffham | 601 | 79.2 | -30% |
| Holbeach | 741 | 92.1 | -18% |
| Fakenham | 684 | 83.8 | -26% |
| March | 2,097 | 97.2 | -14% |
9 areas within King's Lynn, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St. Margaret's with St. Nicholas had the highest rate (346.0 per 1,000) and The Woottons the lowest (25.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Margaret's with St. Nicholas | Neighbourhood | 5,266 | 1,822 | 346.0 |
| Gaywood Clock | Neighbourhood | 2,065 | 313 | 151.6 |
| North Lynn | Neighbourhood | 7,139 | 947 | 132.7 |
| South & West Lynn | Neighbourhood | 5,799 | 744 | 128.3 |
| Gaywood Chase | Neighbourhood | 3,134 | 296 | 94.4 |
| Springwood | Neighbourhood | 4,562 | 429 | 94.0 |
| Fairstead | Neighbourhood | 6,938 | 585 | 84.3 |
| Gaywood North Bank | Neighbourhood | 7,696 | 256 | 33.3 |
| The Woottons | Neighbourhood | 6,857 | 173 | 25.2 |
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 King's Lynn over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 216 |
| On or near Supermarket | 195 |
| On or near Hospital | 152 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 127 |
| On or near Sir Lewis Street | 109 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 98 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 93 |
| On or near Purfleet | 72 |
| On or near Mulberry Road | 68 |
| On or near Walpole Road | 68 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in King's Lynn 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 | 2,303 | 41.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 775 | 13.9% |
| Not recorded | 586 | 10.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 495 | 8.9% |
| Under investigation | 445 | 8.0% |
| Local resolution | 348 | 6.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 292 | 5.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 111 | 2.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 84 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 80 | 1.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 23 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 13 | 0.2% |
King's Lynn has an estimated population of 49,456. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in King's Lynn sits in decile 4.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | King's Lynn |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.8% |
| Social rented homes | 20.4% |
| Private rented homes | 22.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 18.2% |
Is King's Lynn a safe place to live?
King's Lynn recorded 112.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 King's Lynn?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (653).
Is crime in King's Lynn going up or down?
Recorded crime in King's Lynn was down 3% on the year before: 5,565 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,737 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers King's Lynn?
King's Lynn 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 King's Lynn. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.