New stats show overall crime in Norfolk's dropped, but shoplifting's on the rise

Norfolk has seen a rise in in burglaries, robberies, weapons and sexual offences - despite figures showing county's overall crime rate has fallen by 5.4%.

The figures, released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on 30th January, show 59,236 crimes were recorded in Norfolk in the year ending September 2024, compared to 62,597 in the previous 12 months.

Nationally, there was a smaller reduction in crime, with a 2.7% decrease across England and Wales.

Norfolk has seen continued reductions in stalking and harassment, public order, knife crime, drug offences, vehicle crime, and criminal damage.

The largest increase is shoplifting offences, up by 20% locally, and in line with national trends.

"Committed to protecting our communities"

Commenting on the statistics, Chief Constable Paul Sanford said: “It’s pleasing to see continued reductions in overall crime, with 3,361 fewer crimes recorded which means fewer people becoming the victim of crime in our county.

“Officers and staff throughout the organisation are committed to protecting our communities, putting victims first, seeking justice and addressing criminal behaviour.

“We have seen continued reductions in crimes which often have the biggest impact on our communities such as vehicle crime, arson, knife crime and criminal damage.

“In the last 12 months burglary offences have increased by 5.3%, following a three-year decline.

"Even with the increase, which equates to 101 offences, Norfolk has the second lowest burglary rate in the country.

"We know this is an intrusive crime, and I appreciate statistics provide little comfort to people who have been the victim of burglary, but we investigate these crimes robustly and relentlessly target offenders to prevent further crimes from happening.”

Shoplifting has again seen the biggest increase and it’s something officers are prioritising in Norfolk, solving 44% of cases.

Last week a woman who travelled the country stealing £48,000 worth of cosmetics from Tesco stores was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after being caught at a store in King’s Lynn.

Meanwhile, two members of a shoplifting gang which targeted TK Maxx stores were given suspended prison sentences by magistrates, while a third was given an unpaid work order.

All defendants were ordered to pay compensation totalling nearly £7,000.

ONS statistics

Public order offences down 17.5%

Stalking and harassment down 17.1 %

Drug offences down 9.7%

Bike theft down 15%

Violence against the person down 8.1%

Violence without injury down 5.3%

Criminal damage and arson down 5%

Vehicles offences down 4.9%

Knife crime down 11.6%

Theft from the person down 4%

Violence with injury down 4.4%

Theft offences up 1.9%

Possession of offensive weapons up 1.8%

Sexual offences up 2.4%

Burglary up 5.3%

Robbery up 9.2%

Shoplifting up 19.9%

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