East Bergholt Crime Rate

Crime in East Bergholt

East Bergholt is a safe urban settlement located within the Babergh local authority. It features an overall crime rate of 40.9 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This strong performance results in a safety score of 89/100, placing it well above the national average safety rating of 78. However, recent data indicates a significant increasing trend in criminal activity, with a 50.0% rise in reports year-over-year. Despite this upward shift, East Bergholt remains a secure area for its 1,539 residents. The following analysis details the specific crime types, timing patterns, and local comparisons to provide a comprehensive view of safety in East Bergholt.

Crime Breakdown in East Bergholt

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in East Bergholt, representing 54.0% of all reported incidents. Criminal damage and arson follow at 12.7%, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 9.5%. These figures indicate that personal conduct issues and property damage are the primary drivers of crime in the area.

Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences, occurs at a rate of 11.7 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Burglary accounts for 7.9% of total crime, while vehicle crime is relatively low at 1.6%. For homeowners, East Bergholt presents a much lower-than-average risk for property theft, though the combined rate of burglary and theft suggests that residents should maintain consistent security measures to protect their homes and belongings, especially during the evening and night hours.

Crime Trends in East Bergholt

The crime trend in East Bergholt is currently increasing, with a significant 50.0% rise in total offences year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data shows considerable growth throughout 2025, with crime rates peaking in September at 7.2 per 1,000 residents. Other high-activity months included June (5.2) and December 2024 (4.6).

In contrast, the area enjoyed much lower rates in April 2025, recording only 0.7 per 1,000. While the monthly figures show some variation, the overall annual increase suggests that crime in East Bergholt is becoming more frequent. For residents, this upward trend warrants a more proactive approach to local safety and security, even though the absolute numbers are still low by national standards.

How To Keep Safe in East Bergholt

The most common crime type in East Bergholt is violence and sexual offences. While the overall number of incidents remains low, personal safety and community conduct are the primary areas for resident awareness.

To stay safe in East Bergholt, consider these practical tips:

1. When out in the evening, stick to well-lit paths and be aware of your surroundings, especially in quieter residential areas.
2. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to local authorities; this helps the police identify patterns and manage public spaces more effectively.
3. Ensure your home is secure by checking that all doors and windows are locked, particularly during the afternoon and night when burglary risks are highest.
4. Keep high-value items out of sight from ground-floor windows to avoid opportunistic theft.
5. Consider installing motion-activated lighting around your property's exterior to improve visibility and deter unwanted visitors during the hours of darkness.

Crime Timing and Patterns in East Bergholt

Crime in East Bergholt follows distinct patterns throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is a significant concern, making up 27% and 26% of incidents respectively. Burglary risk also starts to climb in the afternoon, accounting for 37% of crimes during those hours.

The evening and night periods see a shift in activity. In the evening, burglary remains high at 29%, but miscellaneous 'other' crimes (including conduct issues) become the dominant category at 57%. The night-time (12am - 6am) is particularly critical for property owners, as burglary and vehicle crime combined reach their peak, accounting for 56% of all reports during these hours. Specifically, burglary peaks at 40% at night. This suggests that while daytime crime is more varied, the afternoon and night-time pose the highest risk for direct property-targeted offences. Residents should ensure their home security is at its most effective during these periods.

Nearby Area Comparison

Compared to its immediate neighbours, East Bergholt (40.9) has a higher crime rate. Nearby Stratford St Mary (26.6), Capel St Mary (24.9), and Brantham (25.2) are all safer. Furthermore, nearby Dedham reports zero crimes per 1,000 residents, representing the absolute peak of local safety. This suggests that while East Bergholt is safe by national standards, it is the most active settlement within its local cluster. For those seeking the absolute lowest crime levels in the region, the surrounding villages offer exceptional safety profiles.

Proactive Security for East Bergholt Residents

With a property crime rate of 11.7 per 1,000 and a significant 50.0% increase in overall crime, East Bergholt residents should be proactive about their security. Traditional security systems—like basic CCTV—often only serve as a way to watch your property being violated after the fact. For residents who want to maintain East Bergholt's safety, a preventative approach is required.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that focuses on preventing crime before it happens. By detecting threats at the property boundary in real-time, scOS can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating lights or audio warnings, to deter intruders. With burglary accounting for 40% of night-time incidents in East Bergholt, the ability to stop a threat before a break-in occurs is vital. scOS's multi-camera intelligence learns your routines and only alerts you to real threats, providing a professional-grade security solution that traditional DIY cameras cannot match. Protecting your home with scOS means moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention.