Sudbury Crime Rate

Sudbury, a historic market town in Suffolk, presents a solid safety profile for its 23,637 residents. The town's overall crime rate is 75.4 per 1,000 people, which compares favourably to the UK national average of 93.1. With a safety score of 81/100, Sudbury is officially rated as safer than the average UK town. The trend data is also encouraging, showing a 5.2% decrease in total crime over the last year. While Sudbury is an active urban settlement, its property crime rate remains relatively low at 20.8 per 1,000. This context sets the stage for a town that is generally secure, though like any urban area, it requires a degree of personal and property vigilance. The following sections provide a deeper dive into Sudbury's crime statistics and trends.

Crime in Sudbury

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Sudbury, accounting for 49.2% of all incidents with 876 reported cases. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson follow, making up 8.5% and 8.4% of the total respectively. Overall property crime in the area stands at a rate of 20.8 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting, which is notable at 135 cases, as well as burglary (32 cases) and vehicle crime (34 cases). For residents, this means that while the town is generally safe, there is a moderate level of opportunistic crime, particularly in commercial areas. Homeowners should be aware that while burglary rates are low, the presence of shoplifting and other thefts suggests that visible security remains a wise investment to deter potential offenders.

Crime Trends in Sudbury

Sudbury is currently experiencing a downward trend in crime, with a 5.2% reduction in total incidents over the past year. Monthly data from 2024 and 2025 shows some variability; the crime rate per 1,000 residents spiked at 8.4 in March 2025, but generally remained between 5.1 and 7.5 for the rest of the period. The rate at the end of 2025 was 6.0 in October, which is a decrease from the mid-year high of 7.5 in June. These fluctuations are typical for a market town, but the overall year-on-year decrease is a positive indicator. For residents, this suggests that Sudbury's safety is being effectively managed, and the town is gradually becoming more secure, despite the occasional short-term increase in reported activity.

How To Keep Safe in Sudbury

The most common crime in Sudbury is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly half of all reports. To stay safe, residents should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking through the town centre late at night or during peak weekend hours. It is advisable to stick to well-lit routes and avoid poorly monitored car parks or alleyways. Given that shoplifting and other thefts are also significant, shoppers should keep their belongings secure and never leave bags unattended in public spaces. For homeowners, the data shows that burglary risk increases slightly at night; therefore, ensuring all doors and windows are locked and using timer lights when away can be effective deterrents. Finally, reporting any anti-social behaviour to the local police helps maintain the town's overall safety and prevents minor issues from escalating.

Crime Timing in Sudbury

Analysis of crime timing in Sudbury reveals that different offences peak at various times of the day. Theft-related crimes, including shoplifting, are most prevalent during the morning and afternoon, accounting for 51% and 55% of crimes in those periods respectively. This aligns with the town's commercial operating hours. As the day transitions into night, the relative frequency of property crimes like burglary and vehicle crime increases. Specifically, burglary rises from 6% in the morning to 15% at night (12am-6am), while vehicle crime peaks at 23% during the same night-time period. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic and retail-focused, night-time activity is more directed at residential properties and parked vehicles, highlighting the need for robust overnight security.

Within the local Babergh context, Sudbury acts as the primary urban hub, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 75.4 compared to its immediate neighbours. Nearby villages like Acton (32.6) and Long Melford (38.6) report significantly lower crime levels, as does Great Waldingfield (48.3). Newton reported zero crimes, highlighting the contrast between the town centre and the surrounding rural parishes. For those considering the area, Sudbury offers the amenities of a larger town with a crime rate that is still well below the national average, making it a safe choice compared to other UK urban centres, even if it is busier than its quiet rural neighbours.

Sudbury's property crime rate of 20.8 per 1,000 suggests that while the town is safe, homeowners should still be proactive about security. Traditional systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you when someone is already at your door or, worse, after they have broken in. In a town like Sudbury, where shoplifting and other thefts are more common, professional-grade deterrence is key. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. The system's multi-camera intelligence can identify suspicious patterns and respond autonomously with lights or voice alerts before a crime is committed. This preventative approach is far more effective than simply having footage of a burglary, as it stops the incident from occurring in the first place, ensuring your home remains secure in this busy market town.