Beccles Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Beccles, a built-up area within East Suffolk, recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents in February 2025, placing it 13.4% below the UK average of 6.7. This figure, while modest, is accompanied by a notable anomaly: shoplifting, the second most common crime category, was 142% above the UK average. This stark contrast to national trends raises questions about local factors that may be driving such a significant increase. The most prevalent crimes in the area were violence and sexual offences (31% of total incidents), followed by shoplifting (25.9%) and burglary (8.6%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—suggests a potential pre-spring lull in certain crime types, though this does not fully explain the shoplifting spike. The area's overall crime profile appears to reflect a mix of urban and rural characteristics, with its lower-than-average violent crime rates potentially linked to its smaller population and less densely populated environment. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting may be influenced by the proximity of retail centres or specific local events, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this. The balance between property and violent crimes in Beccles also contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate. This divergence could be attributed to the area's unique demographic composition or the presence of local initiatives that have mitigated certain types of crime. While the overall rate remains relatively low, the spike in shoplifting underscores the need for targeted interventions in retail areas, especially as the region transitions into the spring season.

February 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary and possession of weapons both increasing by 100% compared to the previous month. These jumps, from zero to five and three cases respectively, mark a stark contrast to the sharp decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 80% (from five to one incidents). The breakdown of crime types reveals a striking anomaly: shoplifting, the second most common category, was 142% above the UK average, a figure that far outpaces the national norm. This discrepancy may be linked to local factors such as the presence of retail outlets or seasonal shopping patterns, though no definitive causal link is established. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences, at 18 cases, were 23% below the UK average, suggesting a relatively lower incidence of violent crime in Beccles compared to the rest of the country. For residents, the sharp rise in possession of weapons—a category that was entirely absent in the previous month—raises immediate concerns about local safety and may prompt community discussions on prevention strategies.

Beccles' crime rate in February 2025 dropped to 5.8 per 1,000 residents, a 15.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.8. This decline places the area 13.4% below the UK average of 6.7, a position it has maintained for several months. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day in February, a figure that reflects the low overall rate. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 174 residents, highlighting the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the national average. The population context further underscores this: with 10,095 residents, the area's crime statistics suggest a stable and generally safe environment, though fluctuations in specific crime categories warrant closer examination. This monthly exposure rate, while modest, provides residents with a tangible measure of their local risk profile, especially when compared to larger urban centres with higher population densities and corresponding crime rates.