Crime in Thetford: statistics, rates and trends

2,415 crimes were recorded in Thetford in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 991 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Thetford has the 410th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Thetford was highest in the year to July 2021 (3,332 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,415). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 Thetford 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 criminal damage and arson, other crime, possession of weapons.

The largest increases were in burglary (+75%) and bicycle theft (+19%). The largest falls were in other theft (-21%) and vehicle crime (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Thetford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Thetford recorded 991 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 41.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Thetford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Thetford recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 16.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Thetford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Thetford recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Thetford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Thetford recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Thetford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Thetford recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Thetford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Thetford recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Thetford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Thetford recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Thetford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Thetford recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Thetford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Thetford recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Thetford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Thetford recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Thetford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Thetford recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Thetford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Thetford recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Thetford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Thetford recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Thetford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Thetford recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Thetford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Thetford Priory had the highest rate (112.0 per 1,000) and Thetford Boudica the lowest (52.3). 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 Thetford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Thetford 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.

Thetford has an estimated population of 25,296. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Thetford sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. 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 Thetford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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