Is Wells-next-the-Sea a safe place to live?

Wells-next-the-Sea scores 6 out of 10 for safety (average crime), compared with every neighbourhood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Crime severity is 1.3 times the North Norfolk average.

Is crime going up or down in Wells-next-the-Sea?

Down 12% over 5 years, from 130 recorded crimes a year to 115.

What is the most common crime in Wells-next-the-Sea?

The most common recorded crime is violence and sexual offences, about 23 per 1,000 residents a year.

How does crime in Wells-next-the-Sea compare with North Norfolk?

Crime severity in Wells-next-the-Sea is 1.3 times the North Norfolk average.

Wells-next-the-SeaTown

Crime in Wells-next-the-Sea

Recorded crime in Wells-next-the-Sea is 1.3 times the North Norfolk average and 0.7 times the England and Wales average. Over 5 years it has fallen 12%. Most of the harm comes from violence and sexual offences. Police data to August 2026.

Within 1.5 km of the centre of Wells-next-the-Sea: about 1,888 residents in 2 neighbourhoods.

Safety: 6/10Average crime
Living: 5.1/10Fair
5-year change: −12%fewer crimes
vs the council: 1.3×the North Norfolk average

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Neighbourhoods by Safety

1 = least safe, 10 = safest. Grey: no score. Select a neighbourhood to open it on the map.

Within 1.5 km of the centre of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Crime over 5 years

Down 12% in 5 years Recorded crimes within 1.5 km of Wells-next-the-Sea, anti-social behaviour left out.

What is recorded

Crime severity: 1.3× the North Norfolk average (0.7× the England and Wales average). 57 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents a year.

Violence and sexual offences: 65% of the harm here
Burglary: 16% of the harm here
Other theft: 6% of the harm here

"Violence and sexual offences" is 65% of the harm here. It is a broad police category: most of these crimes are assaults without injury, harassment and threats, often indoors between people who know each other, and only a small part are sexual or serious violent offences. Police data does not say which, so each one is weighted at the England and Wales average for the category, which can overstate a quiet residential area.

Anti-social behaviour: 12 incidents per 1,000 residents a year, not scored. Not a crime, so it is not part of the Safety score.

Crime by type

Recorded crimes per 1,000 residents per year, most serious first, not counting anti-social behaviour.

Type	Per 1,000 a year
Robbery	0.2
Burglary	3.7
Violence and sexual offences	23.5
Drugs	1.5
Possession of weapons	0.4
Other crime	2.3
Other theft	6.8
Theft from the person	0.2
Vehicle crime	1.0
Criminal damage and arson	8.2
Public order	6.4
Bicycle theft	0.6
Shoplifting	2.1

Postcode districts in Wells-next-the-Sea

NR23

Nearby towns

Council: North Norfolk

Questions about crime in Wells-next-the-Sea

Is Wells-next-the-Sea a safe place to live?: Wells-next-the-Sea scores 6 out of 10 for safety (average crime), compared with every neighbourhood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Crime severity is 1.3 times the North Norfolk average.
Is crime going up or down in Wells-next-the-Sea?: Down 12% over 5 years, from 130 recorded crimes a year to 115.
What is the most common crime in Wells-next-the-Sea?: The most common recorded crime is violence and sexual offences, about 23 per 1,000 residents a year.
How does crime in Wells-next-the-Sea compare with North Norfolk?: Crime severity in Wells-next-the-Sea is 1.3 times the North Norfolk average.