Crime in Swaffham: statistics, rates and trends
601 crimes were recorded in Swaffham in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Swaffham at a glance
- Crime trends in Swaffham
- Types of crime in Swaffham
- Swaffham compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Swaffham
- Streets with the most crime in Swaffham
- What happened after crimes were reported in Swaffham
- Population and deprivation in Swaffham
- Questions about crime in Swaffham
- About this data
601 crimes were recorded in Swaffham in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 227 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Swaffham has the 632nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Swaffham | Breckland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 601 | 8,459 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 79.2 | 57.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 7,584 | 146,620 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Swaffham was highest in the year to July 2019 (758 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (525). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 601 | 79.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 607 | 80.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 613 | 80.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 606 | 79.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 694 | 91.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 525 | 69.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 753 | 99.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 758 | 99.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 610 | 80.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 58 |
| June 2026 | 61 |
| May 2026 | 50 |
| April 2026 | 42 |
| March 2026 | 46 |
| February 2026 | 56 |
| January 2026 | 37 |
| December 2025 | 34 |
| November 2025 | 56 |
| October 2025 | 46 |
| September 2025 | 62 |
| August 2025 | 53 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Swaffham 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 shoplifting (+35%) and other theft (+30%).
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-23%) and public order (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 227 | 29.9 | 0.87 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 93 | 12.3 | 0.80 | -13% |
| Shoplifting | 73 | 9.6 | 1.16 | +35% |
| Other theft | 56 | 7.4 | 1.15 | +30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 49 | 6.5 | 0.95 | -23% |
| Public order | 34 | 4.5 | 0.67 | -21% |
| Drugs | 20 | 2.6 | 0.81 | +150% |
| Other crime | 19 | 2.5 | 1.19 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 12 | 1.6 | 0.32 | -8% |
| Burglary | 10 | 1.3 | 0.37 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.5 | 0.54 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.16 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.16 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Swaffham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Swaffham recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 37.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Swaffham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Swaffham recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 15.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Swaffham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Swaffham recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Swaffham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Swaffham recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Swaffham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Swaffham recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Swaffham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Swaffham recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Swaffham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Swaffham recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Swaffham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Swaffham recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Swaffham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Swaffham recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Swaffham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Swaffham recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Swaffham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Swaffham recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Swaffham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Swaffham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 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 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Swaffham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Swaffham recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 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 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Swaffham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Swaffham recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 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 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Swaffham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Swaffham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Swaffham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watton | 758 | 57.0 | -28% |
| Dereham | 1,714 | 79.5 | +0% |
| Downham Market | 687 | 60.7 | -23% |
| King's Lynn | 5,565 | 112.5 | +42% |
| Brandon (West Suffolk) | 666 | 68.2 | -14% |
| Fakenham | 684 | 83.8 | +6% |
| Thetford | 2,415 | 95.5 | +20% |
| Attleborough | 575 | 50.8 | -36% |
1 areas within Swaffham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Swaffham had the highest rate (73.8 per 1,000) and Swaffham the lowest (73.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swaffham | Neighbourhood | 9,541 | 704 | 73.8 |
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 Swaffham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 83 |
| On or near Orchard Place | 43 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 30 |
| On or near Lynn Street | 26 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 26 |
| On or near Manor Way | 23 |
| On or near Supermarket | 21 |
| On or near Castleacre Road | 18 |
| On or near Station Street | 17 |
| On or near Orford Road | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Swaffham 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 | 233 | 38.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 99 | 16.5% |
| Not recorded | 93 | 15.5% |
| Under investigation | 52 | 8.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 36 | 6.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 30 | 5.0% |
| Local resolution | 22 | 3.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 2.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 1.8% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 6 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Swaffham has an estimated population of 7,584. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Swaffham sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Swaffham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 51.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 32.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.9% |
| Social rented homes | 21.9% |
| Private rented homes | 16.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
Is Swaffham a safe place to live?
Swaffham recorded 79.2 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 Swaffham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (93).
Is crime in Swaffham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Swaffham was almost unchanged on the year before: 601 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 607 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Swaffham?
Swaffham 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 Swaffham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.