Sudbury Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Sudbury's crime rate in February 2026 was 6.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 6.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance reflects a combination of seasonal factors and localized crime prevention efforts. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, accounting for 53.9% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 — 38% above the UK average for this category. The area's relatively low burglary rate (0.1 per 1,000) and significant drop in shoplifting (66% below UK average) suggest that retail-focused initiatives may be contributing to this trend. February's position as a winter month with reduced outdoor activity may partly explain the overall lower crime rate compared to the previous month, though the persistence of violent crime highlights ongoing challenges. The crime mix shows a clear dominance of violent offences over property crimes, with the latter making up only 22.7% of all reported incidents. This imbalance could be attributed to Sudbury's character as a mixed-use built-up area within Babergh, where community cohesion efforts may mitigate property crime but require continued attention to address violent incidents. The seasonal context of February — a pre-spring lull with limited tourist activity — may also play a role in shaping the crime profile, though the higher-than-average rate of violence indicates that local factors such as social dynamics or policing strategies require further scrutiny.

February 2026 saw a 50% reduction in shoplifting incidents, with the number of cases falling from 10 to 5 compared to January. This decline may partly explain the overall drop in property crime, which now accounts for 22.7% of total reported crimes, down from 32.7% in the previous month. Meanwhile, violent crime remained the most prevalent category, contributing 53.9% of all incidents, with a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 — 38% above the UK average for this category. Drug-related offences surged by 100%, with the number of cases doubling from 4 to 8. This increase contrasts sharply with the 66% decrease in vehicle crime, which fell from 3 to 1, likely reflecting reduced traffic volumes during the winter months. For residents, the 50% drop in shoplifting provides a concrete example of how targeted interventions in retail areas can yield measurable results.

Sudbury's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, a 7.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.4 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in the area during winter months, when outdoor activity declines and community engagement in local initiatives may contribute to a lower incidence of crime. On a daily basis, Sudbury recorded approximately 5 crimes per day over the 28-day period, a figure that reflects the area's overall low crime profile compared to national averages. When considering the monthly exposure, the 1-in-168 residents statistic illustrates that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Sudbury remains relatively low, even when accounting for the fluctuating nature of crime throughout the year. This context is particularly relevant for residents, as it provides a tangible measure of the area's safety relative to its population size, reinforcing the effectiveness of local policing strategies and community-based crime prevention efforts.