Long Melford Crime Rate

About Long Melford

Understanding crime statistics is essential for residents and prospective movers in Long Melford. The area reports an overall crime rate of 42.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating that Long Melford is a comparatively safer place to live. The area’s safety score stands at 90/100, notably higher than the UK average of 78/100. This positive safety profile is further supported by a decreasing trend in crime rates over the last year, with a 24.1% decrease. This report delves into specific crime types, local trends, and comparisons with nearby areas to provide a comprehensive overview of safety in Long Melford.

Crime Breakdown in Long Melford

The most prevalent crime types in Long Melford are: Violence and sexual offences (36.7% of total crime, 15.6 per 1,000 residents), Other theft (11.7% of total crime, 5.0 per 1,000 residents), and Shoplifting (11.1% of total crime, 4.7 per 1,000 residents). Violence and sexual offences consistently represent a significant portion of reported incidents, a trend often observed across various UK regions. Criminal damage and arson, and anti-social behaviour, while concerning, are often localised issues that can be influenced by specific community dynamics.

Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is a key concern for residents and homeowners. In Long Melford, the property crime rate is 17.5 per 1,000 people per year, significantly lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. These offences account for approximately 50.6% of all reported crimes. While relatively low, understanding these figures allows residents to take proactive measures to protect their homes and belongings. Burglary stands at 1.7 per 1,000, and vehicle crime at 3.8 per 1,000, suggesting that security for homes and vehicles remains important.

Crime Trends in Long Melford

Over the last 12 months, Long Melford has experienced a decreasing trend in its overall crime rate, with a 24.1% change year-over-year. This indicates that the area's crime situation is currently decreasing. Examining the monthly data provides further insight into these patterns.

Crime rates have fluctuated throughout the year. For instance, the highest rate was observed in 2024-10 at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, while the lowest was in 2025-01 at 1.9 per 1,000. These variations could be influenced by seasonal factors, local events, or specific enforcement efforts. For residents, a decreasing trend, especially if it's a decrease, is generally reassuring, suggesting that current community safety initiatives are having a positive effect. However, an increasing trend highlights the need for continued vigilance and perhaps a review of local security measures.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Long Melford

Analysing when crimes typically occur offers valuable insights into local security considerations for Long Melford. The data reveals distinct patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. In the morning (6am-12pm), property-related offences, particularly theft and burglary, are often more prevalent as residents leave for work or school, leaving properties unattended. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) continues to see a focus on theft, often linked to commercial activity and increased footfall in public areas.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), there's a shift towards anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, alongside a continued presence of property crime as darkness falls. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime and burglary tend to peak, capitalising on reduced visibility and quiet streets. Understanding these hourly and daily rhythms can help residents in Long Melford tailor their security measures and vigilance to the periods of highest risk for specific crime types.

Comparing Long Melford with Nearby Areas

Long Melford benefits from its location within a generally safe region, and its crime statistics reflect this. When compared to its neighbours, Long Melford maintains a strong safety profile. For example, considering nearby areas such as Acton, Glemsford, Great Waldingfield, and Sudbury, Long Melford's overall crime rate of 42.6 per 1,000 is often found to be competitive, if not lower. This regional context is vital for understanding local safety, as crime patterns can vary significantly even over short distances. Residents can appreciate Long Melford's relative tranquility while still recognising the broader regional crime landscape.

Enhancing Your Protection in Long Melford

Given Long Melford's property crime rate of 17.5 per 1,000 residents, focusing on robust home security is a sensible approach for all residents. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively. However, modern AI-powered solutions like scOS offer proactive protection, designed to prevent crime before it even happens. By detecting threats at your property boundary, scOS intervenes in real-time, unlike DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact. This advanced approach uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all areas simultaneously, identifying genuine threats while learning your routines.

The deterrence value of professional security cannot be overstated. With scOS, features such as visible deterrence, autonomous lighting, and speaker engagement destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars make their decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property; visible, proactive security makes them move on. Investing in professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, offering a significant advantage over basic recording devices. For true peace of mind and effective property protection in Long Melford, consider security solutions that prioritise prevention over mere documentation.