Beccles Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

November 2025 marked a significant shift in Beccles' crime profile, with the most dramatic change occurring in 'Other crime' — a category that surged from zero to four incidents, representing a 100% increase. This spike, coupled with similar jumps in vehicle crime and bicycle theft, contrasts sharply with steep declines in criminal damage and arson (-75%) and anti-social behaviour (-62.5%). The overall crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents places Beccles 26% below the UK average of 7.3, a position consistent with its status as a smaller built-up area within East Suffolk. Violent crimes (25 incidents, 46.3% of total) remained the most prevalent category, though they were 3% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Shoplifting (8 incidents) stood out as a notable outlier, with rates 27% above the national average — a pattern likely linked to Black Friday shopping activity, which typically peaks in late November. The seasonal context of shorter evenings and Bonfire Night may have influenced public order offences. Burglary (5 incidents) and other theft (3 incidents) also exceeded UK averages, suggesting vulnerabilities in property security that may require targeted interventions. The data illustrates a combination of seasonal pressures and localized factors, with Beccles' lower crime rate reflecting its relatively low population density and limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres.

The most striking month-on-month shift in November 2025 was the 100% increase in 'Other crime,' which rose from zero to four incidents. This category, which includes a range of non-specific offences, may reflect underreported or newly categorized activities. Concurrently, vehicle crime and bicycle theft both doubled from zero to one incident each, a development that could be tied to increased car ownership or seasonal theft patterns. In contrast, criminal damage and arson fell by 75% (from four to one incident), a drop that may align with reduced public gatherings during darker evenings. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 62.5% (from eight to three incidents), linked to post-Black Friday spending patterns or community initiatives. Violent crimes, however, remained the dominant category, accounting for 46.3% of total incidents — 3% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Shoplifting, though not the largest category, showed a 27% increase above the UK average (0.8 vs 0.6 per 1,000), a trend that may warrant closer scrutiny given its proximity to retail areas. The data also reveals that burglary (0.5 per 1,000) and other crime (0.4 per 1,000) were both significantly above national averages, suggesting targeted vulnerabilities that could inform local policing strategies.

Beccles' crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in November 2025 represented a 15.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.3, a decline consistent with seasonal patterns in smaller towns. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly two crimes per day — a frequency that, while lower than many urban centres, remains a concern for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. This statistic, however, should be contextualized within Beccles' population of 10,095, where the density of commercial and residential areas is limited compared to larger cities. The reduction in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage compared to October may reflect the impact of shorter daylight hours, which often correlate with decreased public activity in rural and semi-rural areas. Conversely, the rise in shoplifting and burglary suggests that targeted retail zones or property vulnerabilities may be more pronounced during the holiday season. The comparison to the UK average highlights Beccles' position as a relatively safe area, though the above-average rates for certain categories indicate specific challenges that could benefit from localized crime prevention measures.