Beccles Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Beccles recorded a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.5% below the UK average of 6.8. This figure, while modest, reflects a persistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels in the built-up area of East Suffolk. The breakdown of incidents highlights a notable balance between property and violent crimes, with property crimes accounting for 50% of the total (26 incidents) and violent crimes making up 38.5% (20 incidents). This distribution, while not unusual for a small town, contrasts with broader UK patterns where violent crime often dominates. The most significant contributor to the local crime rate was violence and sexual offences, which occurred at a rate of 2.0 per 1,000—20% below the UK average. This suggests a combination of local policing efforts and community factors that may temper more severe crime. However, shoplifting emerged as a stark outlier, with 12 incidents (1.2 per 1,000) representing 111% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be partly explained by the town’s retail infrastructure, which remains active despite the post-holiday lull. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, reduced outdoor activity, and lower retail footfall—likely contributes to a lower overall crime rate compared to busier months. These patterns illustrate the combination of local geography, economic activity, and seasonal rhythms in shaping crime dynamics.

January 2026 saw a significant shift in crime composition, with property crimes (26 incidents) outpacing violent crimes (20 incidents) for the first time in recent months. This balance may reflect seasonal dynamics, as reduced retail activity typically lowers opportunities for violent crime while shoplifting remains a persistent issue. Shoplifting, at 12 incidents, was 111% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, a figure that likely highlights the town’s retail presence despite post-holiday footfall reductions. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 66.7% compared to December, possibly due to quieter evenings and fewer large gatherings. Burglary and vehicle crime each doubled from 1 to 2 incidents, a small but notable increase that may indicate targeted activity in residential areas. These shifts underscore the need for localized strategies to address shoplifting while maintaining vigilance in property crime prevention.

Beccles recorded 52 crimes in January 2026, a 5.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with typical January patterns, where post-holiday periods and shorter daylight hours may contribute to lower outdoor activity and retail footfall. Daily crime statistics show an average of two reported incidents per day, a figure that reflects the area’s relatively low crime density compared to national averages. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 194 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s stability. When scaled to the local population, this rate remains well below the UK average, suggesting a consistent pattern of lower-than-expected crime levels in Beccles. The population context further highlights that even with 52 total crimes, the impact per resident is diluted by the town’s size and possibly its rural-adjacent character, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime.