Beccles Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Beccles’ crime profile in December 2025, accounting for 45.5% of all reported crimes. At 5.5 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate was 21.4% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, reinforcing its status as a relatively safe built-up area within East Suffolk. This low rate, combined with the dominance of violent crime, suggests a combination of local demographics and seasonal factors. The Christmas shopping peak, dark evenings, and the presence of empty homes over the holidays likely contributed to the elevated proportion of violent incidents, though the rate itself remains significantly lower than the UK norm. Property crimes, while less frequent, showed mixed trends: shoplifting was 58% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson were 23% below. This disparity may reflect the area’s rural character, where retail centres are limited but community engagement in anti-social behaviour could be influenced by seasonal social dynamics. The overall crime picture illustrates a balance between localized vulnerabilities and broader safety outcomes, with the stability of the rate indicating no major disruptions in the area’s crime profile during the month.

December’s crime data reveals sharp shifts in specific categories. Criminal damage and arson surged by 300% from one to four incidents, a jump that may partly explain the increase in anti-social behaviour (up 66.7%) and public order offences (up 50%). These trends align with the seasonal context of dark evenings and holiday-related disturbances. Conversely, burglary and other crime both declined significantly, with burglary dropping 80% from five to one incident—a reduction that could reflect increased home security measures during the festive period. Shoplifting remained 58% above the UK average at 0.9 per 1,000, a figure that contrasts with the 23% below UK rates for other property crimes like criminal damage and arson. Residents may find it useful to note that violent crime, though the dominant category, is 3% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may moderate its prevalence.

December 2025 saw a stable crime rate in Beccles, remaining nearly identical to November’s 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major spikes or dips in criminal activity during the month, despite the seasonal pressures of Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly two crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the low overall rate and reflects the small population of 10,095. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 184 residents—a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relatively low risk of encountering crime in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, Beccles’ stable rate reinforces its position as a safer community, though this must be contextualised within the local character of a rural town with limited urban infrastructure. The population-scaled perspective also underscores that crime in Beccles remains a rare occurrence, with most residents unlikely to experience it directly.