Beccles Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Beccles, the crime rate in May 2024 translates to a per-capita risk of 7.3 incidents per 1,000 people, placing the area 13.1% below the UK average. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of local factors. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (28.4% of total), followed by other theft (16.2%) and criminal damage and arson (14.9%). These patterns may be influenced by Beccles' character as a built-up area within East Suffolk, where community dynamics and seasonal rhythms shape crime trends. May's longer evenings and bank holidays likely contributed to increased outdoor socialising, explaining the spike in violence and sexual offences. The area's relatively low overall rate, compared to the UK, may be attributed to its rural-adjacent setting, where community policing and lower population density could reduce opportunities for certain crimes. However, the rise in other theft and criminal damage above UK averages suggests specific vulnerabilities, such as unsecured properties or targeted commercial areas. The seasonal context of May—marked by extended daylight and social events—may also explain fluctuations in crime types, with public order offences decreasing as outdoor activity shifted. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the localised spikes in certain categories highlight the need for targeted awareness, particularly around property security and community engagement.

May 2024 saw a 100% increase in bicycle theft, rising from one to two incidents. This sharp rise may reflect seasonal activity, such as increased cycling during longer evenings or events. Burglary also doubled, with four reported cases, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in domestic security during this period. Conversely, public order offences fell by 40%, possibly linked to reduced outdoor socialising or effective local enforcement. Other crime increased from zero to two incidents, indicating new or previously unreported categories. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 28.4% of all crimes, though they were 26% below the UK average. Other theft and criminal damage both exceeded UK averages by significant margins, with other theft being 107% above the national rate. These disparities highlight areas where local conditions may diverge from national trends, such as unique economic factors or community characteristics influencing crime patterns.

Beccles' crime rate in May 2024 rose 25.5% compared to the previous month, moving from 5.8 to 7.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects shifts in local activity patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 136 residents, illustrating the scale of exposure for the local population. This monthly aggregate, while not directly comparable to the UK's national statistics, highlights the relative frequency of crime in Beccles. The rise in burglary and bicycle theft, alongside the drop in public order offences, suggests changing dynamics in community interactions and enforcement priorities. The population context—10,095 residents—further underscores that even small increases in crime rates can have tangible impacts on local perceptions of safety.