Sudbury Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 marked a stark shift in Sudbury's crime profile, with burglary and shoplifting experiencing the most dramatic month-on-month increases. The built-up area recorded a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents, 21.0% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.4% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (13.3%). This pattern aligns with seasonal factors: shorter evenings and Halloween festivities may have contributed to increased opportunities for property crimes. The significant rise in shoplifting—jumping from 4 to 13 cases—could reflect post-Christmas shopping trends beginning early. Meanwhile, the area's overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, a trend consistent with Sudbury's character as a historically low-crime commuter town with limited nightlife and retail density. The relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour (6.6% of total crimes) and vehicle crime (3.3%) suggest a stable community environment, though the sharp increase in burglary raises questions about local security measures. These figures illustrate a combination of seasonal rhythms and persistent community factors, with no single explanation emerging from the data.

The most striking month-on-month change in October 2024 was a 233.3% increase in burglary cases, rising from 3 to 10. This surge, though still below the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), deserves closer attention given Sudbury's typically low property crime rates. Shoplifting also saw a dramatic 225.0% increase, jumping from 4 to 13 incidents—far exceeding the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. These spikes contrast sharply with declines in other categories: possession of weapons fell by 66.7% (3 to 1), and anti-social behaviour decreased by 20.0% (15 to 12). The violence and sexual offences category (2.7 per 1,000) remained 1% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as seasonal socialising may play a role. Sudbury's criminal damage and arson rate (0.9 per 1,000) was 53% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the area's historical preservation efforts and the associated risks of property damage. Residents might find the 100% decrease in theft from the person (from 2 to 0) particularly reassuring.

Sudbury's crime rate in October 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, with a 0.6% change (6.4 vs 6.4 per 1,000). On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime per 157 residents. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, with Sudbury's population of 23,637 benefiting from a crime profile that is 21.0% below national levels. The stability in overall crime rates contrasts with the dramatic swings in specific categories, such as the 233.3% increase in burglary. When considering the population context, Sudbury's relatively low crime rates—particularly in violent crimes (2.7 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000)—highlight the area's effectiveness in maintaining public safety. However, the sharp rise in property crimes raises questions about whether local security measures need recalibration. The monthly exposure metric (1-in-157 residents) provides a tangible perspective for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, it remains a rare occurrence in Sudbury's built-up area.