Crime in Norwich: statistics, rates and trends

21,032 crimes were recorded in Norwich in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to 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 7,944 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Norwich has the 319th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Norwich was highest in the year to July 2019 (24,903 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (21,032). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Norwich 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 shoplifting, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft.

The largest falls were in robbery (-16%) and possession of weapons (-12%).

Violence and sexual offences in Norwich

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Norwich recorded 7,944 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 37.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Norwich

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Norwich recorded 3,031 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 14.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Norwich

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Norwich recorded 2,731 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Norwich

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Norwich recorded 1,744 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Norwich

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Norwich recorded 1,422 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Norwich

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Norwich recorded 1,081 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 6% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Norwich

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Norwich recorded 604 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Norwich

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Norwich recorded 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Norwich

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Norwich recorded 482 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Norwich

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Norwich recorded 458 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Norwich

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Norwich recorded 425 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Norwich

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Norwich recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Norwich

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Norwich recorded 205 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Norwich

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Norwich recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Norwich, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Norwich.

21 areas within Norwich, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Mancroft had the highest rate (382.8 per 1,000) and Thorpe St Andrew North West the lowest (30.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Norwich over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Norwich 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.

Norwich has an estimated population of 203,310. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Norwich sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Norwich. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.