Crime in Watton: statistics, rates and trends
758 crimes were recorded in Watton in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
758 crimes were recorded in Watton in the 12 months to July 2026, 57.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 407 reports (54% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Watton has the 1,021st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Watton | Breckland | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 758 | 8,459 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 57.0 | 57.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 13,301 | 146,620 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Watton was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,050 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (736). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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 | 758 | 57.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 736 | 55.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 837 | 62.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 845 | 63.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 905 | 68.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 985 | 74.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,050 | 78.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,033 | 77.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 968 | 72.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 70 |
| June 2026 | 66 |
| May 2026 | 70 |
| April 2026 | 49 |
| March 2026 | 59 |
| February 2026 | 38 |
| January 2026 | 71 |
| December 2025 | 98 |
| November 2025 | 58 |
| October 2025 | 83 |
| September 2025 | 50 |
| August 2025 | 46 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Watton 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 other crime.
The largest increases were in public order (+22%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-44%) and other crime (-12%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 407 | 30.6 | 0.89 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 86 | 6.5 | 0.42 | -2% |
| Public order | 56 | 4.2 | 0.63 | +22% |
| Other crime | 45 | 3.4 | 1.60 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 40 | 3.0 | 0.44 | -44% |
| Other theft | 35 | 2.6 | 0.41 | +0% |
| Drugs | 23 | 1.7 | 0.53 | +10% |
| Shoplifting | 19 | 1.4 | 0.17 | +27% |
| Burglary | 17 | 1.3 | 0.36 | +31% |
| Vehicle crime | 14 | 1.1 | 0.21 | +17% |
| Possession of weapons | 12 | 0.9 | 0.93 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.18 | +0% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.11 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Watton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Watton recorded 407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 53.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Watton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Watton recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Watton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Watton recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Watton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Watton recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Watton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Watton recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Watton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Watton recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Watton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Watton recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Watton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Watton recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Watton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Watton recorded 17 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 up 31% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Watton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Watton recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Watton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Watton recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Watton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Watton recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Watton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Watton recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 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 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Watton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Watton.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Watton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swaffham | 601 | 79.2 | +39% |
| Attleborough | 575 | 50.8 | -11% |
| Dereham | 1,714 | 79.5 | +40% |
| Thetford | 2,415 | 95.5 | +68% |
| Wymondham (South Norfolk) | 1,349 | 74.1 | +30% |
| Brandon (West Suffolk) | 666 | 68.2 | +20% |
| Hethersett | 426 | 53.0 | -7% |
| Cringleford | 362 | 60.8 | +7% |
2 areas within Watton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Saham Toney had the highest rate (51.7 per 1,000) and Watton the lowest (47.9). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saham Toney | Neighbourhood | 6,068 | 314 | 51.7 |
| Watton | Neighbourhood | 9,544 | 457 | 47.9 |
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 Watton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 169 |
| On or near Anson Way | 28 |
| On or near Eastern Road | 22 |
| On or near Middle Street | 22 |
| On or near Beechwood Avenue | 18 |
| On or near Gregor Shanks Way | 16 |
| On or near Liberator Close | 16 |
| On or near Vincent Place | 15 |
| On or near Dale Close | 13 |
| On or near Canon Close | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Watton 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 | 328 | 43.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 98 | 12.9% |
| Not recorded | 86 | 11.3% |
| Under investigation | 81 | 10.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 54 | 7.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 4.2% |
| Local resolution | 27 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 22 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 19 | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Watton has an estimated population of 13,301. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Watton sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Watton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.5% |
| Social rented homes | 12.3% |
| Private rented homes | 20.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.7 |
Is Watton a safe place to live?
Watton recorded 57.0 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 Watton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (86).
Is crime in Watton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Watton was up 3% on the year before: 758 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 736 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Watton?
Watton 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 Watton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.