Lavenham Crime Rate

Lavenham is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 30.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 93/100—well above the national average of 78. Residents will find that the local security environment is highly favourable and stable, with a slight 4.9% decrease in total crime year-over-year. For its population of nearly 2,000 residents, Lavenham offers a peaceful and secure living environment within the Babergh district. The following analysis explores the specific crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns that define the local safety landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Lavenham

Lavenham is a safe and quiet settlement where crime is primarily composed of violence and sexual offences, which account for 41.4% of total incidents at a rate of 12.4 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson are the second most common, making up 19.0%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.1%. These figures suggest that while personal and property damage offences occur, they do so at a relatively low frequency.

Property-related crime in Lavenham is minimal, with an overall rate of 9.3 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary (5.2%), shoplifting (3.5%), and other theft (3.5%). Notably, there were no recorded instances of vehicle crime or bicycle theft in the current data. For residents, this indicates a very low risk of property interference compared to national averages. However, the presence of criminal damage and burglary means that homeowners should still maintain standard security precautions to protect their property from opportunistic acts and ensure the continued safety of the neighbourhood.

Crime Trends in Lavenham

Lavenham is currently experiencing a stable trend in its safety profile, with total crime decreasing by a modest 4.9% year-over-year. This suggests that the area remains a consistently secure and well-managed community. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows that the crime rate has remained low, generally staying below 5 incidents per 1,000 residents.

The highest peak in 2025 occurred in July, with a rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Other months with slightly elevated activity include December 2024 (3.6) and February, May, and September 2025 (all 3.1). Conversely, the crime rate dropped to its lowest point in January and October 2025, reaching just 1.0 per 1,000. These minor fluctuations are typical for a small population and do not indicate any significant shifts in the local safety landscape. For residents, this stability reinforces Lavenham's reputation as a safe place to live where criminal activity is infrequent and predictable.

How To Keep Safe in Lavenham

The most common crime type in Lavenham is violence and sexual offences. To maintain personal safety and help preserve the area's high safety standards, residents should consider the following advice.

1. Maintain Community Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking in quieter parts of the settlement during the evening. Stick to well-lit main roads where possible.
2. Secure Your Property: Although burglary is low, ensure all windows and doors are locked when you are out or at night. Criminal damage is a more frequent issue, so keep your property's exterior well-maintained.
3. Report ASB and Damage: Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage make up over 30% of local crime. Reporting these incidents promptly helps the police manage the area more effectively.
4. Lighting as a Deterrent: Use motion-activated external lighting to illuminate the perimeter of your home. This can discourage both opportunistic criminal damage and potential intruders.
5. Vehicle Precautions: While vehicle crime is zero in the current data, continue to lock your car and remove all valuables to ensure this excellent record is maintained.

In Lavenham, the distribution of crime types remains remarkably consistent throughout the day. 'Other' crimes, which include criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, and public order offences, are the most dominant across all time periods, making up between 70% and 94% of recorded activity. Theft-related crimes show a slight peak during the afternoon, accounting for 30% of incidents between 12pm and 6pm. Notably, burglary is not concentrated at any specific time, and vehicle crime is entirely absent from the data. This suggests that the primary risks in Lavenham are non-property related and occur with relative uniformity, with a minor increase in theft during peak daytime hours. Residents should maintain general security awareness regardless of the time.

In the local context of the Babergh region, Lavenham is one of the safer settlements. It has a lower crime rate than nearby Acton, which stands at 32.6 per 1,000 residents. While it experiences more activity than the very small, rural villages of Little Waldingfield, Monks Eleigh, and Brettenham—all of which recorded zero crimes—Lavenham provides a safe residential hub with more amenities. Its safety score of 93/100 makes it a highly attractive location for those prioritising a low-crime environment while still living in a built-up area. Compared to wider regional averages, Lavenham remains a very secure choice for residents.

Lavenham's low property crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents is a testament to the area's safety. However, the presence of criminal damage (19.0%) and burglary (5.2%) indicates that homeowners should still be proactive about their security. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you after someone is already at your door or provide footage of an incident after it has occurred.

For Lavenham residents, a proactive approach like scOS is more effective. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that prevents crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries, scOS can detect suspicious patterns and intervene in real-time. Its autonomous response features, such as activating deterrent lights or speakers, can warn off a potential intruder or someone intent on criminal damage before they reach your home. In a quiet, safe area like Lavenham, the ability to prevent an incident is far more valuable than simply recording it, ensuring your property remains protected and the neighbourhood stays secure.