Babergh Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Babergh, 3.6 crimes were reported in November 2023—a figure that is 52% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This places the area among the safer local authority districts in England, though the crime profile reveals specific patterns worth examining. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.2% of all crimes, a category where Babergh's rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 38% below the UK average. This may be partly explained by the area's lower population density and the absence of large nightlife hubs that typically drive such incidents. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.3 per 1,000, is 71% below the UK average, a statistic consistent with the quieter, more dispersed nature of Babergh's communities. Seasonal factors—such as the dark evenings of November, Bonfire Night, and Black Friday shopping—likely influenced the spike in shoplifting (up 80% from October) and the 200% increase in theft from the person. These events may have created temporary opportunities for opportunistic crimes, though the overall decline in violent crime (down 20.6%) suggests other mitigating factors at play. The low rates of vehicle crime (80% below UK average) and bicycle theft (100% below) further indicate that Babergh's relatively rural character and smaller retail footprint reduce certain types of criminal activity. While the per-capita risk remains low, the November data underscores the need for targeted awareness during peak shopping and event seasons.

November saw a 200% increase in theft from the person, rising from one to three incidents—a sharp rise that may partly explain the 80% increase in shoplifting linked to Black Friday activity. Anti-social behaviour also declined by 44.6%, dropping from 56 to 31 incidents, a shift that contrasts with the 20.6% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 189 to 150. This suggests a combination of seasonal events and local dynamics. Vehicle crime in Babergh is 80% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect lower commuter traffic or fewer parking hotspots compared to larger urban centres. The 100% increase in bicycle theft—rising from two to four incidents—adds a new layer to the crime picture, tied to seasonal travel patterns or unsecured storage during colder months.

Babergh's November 2023 crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents marks a 12.9% decrease from the previous month's 4.1, reflecting a continued downward trend. Over 30 days, this translates to roughly 12 crimes reported daily—a figure that, while notable, remains well below the UK average. Monthly exposure places the risk at one reported crime for every 280 residents, a statistic that contextualises the rate as relatively low for a local authority district. When scaled to population, the 3.6 per 1,000 figure means a resident has a 0.36% chance of being directly affected by crime in any given month. This aligns with Babergh's broader pattern of consistently lower crime rates compared to national averages, though the recent spike in theft from the person (+200%) highlights areas requiring closer attention. The local context—smaller communities, lower population density—likely contributes to the reduced baseline risk, though seasonal factors such as shorter evenings may influence specific crime types.