Felixstowe Crime Rate

Felixstowe is a secure and well-regarded coastal town with a safety profile that exceeds national standards. Its overall crime rate of 55.6 per 1,000 people is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.7, and this is reflected in a high safety score of 86/100. The town is currently seeing a positive trend in safety, with reported crimes decreasing by 9.6% over the last year. Property crime is particularly low, with a rate of 17.2 compared to the UK average of 32.3. For the 24,417 residents, Felixstowe offers a safe environment where traditional residential concerns like burglary and vehicle crime are statistically rare. This data highlights Felixstowe as one of the safer urban settlements in the East Suffolk region.

Felixstowe's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 45.8% of all reports. Shoplifting is the second most common crime at 10.1%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 9.1%. These three categories account for nearly two-thirds of all criminal activity in the town.

Property crime in Felixstowe occurs at a rate of 17.2 per 1,000 people, which is remarkably low for a significant port town and well below the UK average of 32.3. This total includes 137 shoplifting incidents, 95 cases of 'other theft', and relatively low numbers of burglary (23) and vehicle crime (21). Criminal damage and arson also factor into the property landscape, making up 8.8% of total crimes. For residents, the data suggests that while violent crime is the most frequent category, the risk of serious property invasion like burglary is exceptionally low, making it a generally secure place for homeowners.

Felixstowe is experiencing a positive safety trend, with an overall decrease in crime of 9.6% year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data reveals a cyclical pattern common to coastal resorts. The year began with low crime rates, dipping to 3.8 per 1,000 in January. Rates then steadily rose through the spring and peaked in the summer months, reaching 5.7 in June and 6.1 in July. This increase likely reflects the influx of visitors to the town during the warmer months. Following the summer peak, crime rates began to decline again, falling to 3.7 by November. This downward trajectory at the end of the period, combined with the overall annual reduction, suggests that Felixstowe is successfully managing its safety profile and remains a secure environment for residents.

How To Keep Safe in Felixstowe

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Felixstowe, often concentrated around the town centre or seafront during peak hours.

• When enjoying the seafront or town centre in the evening, try to stay in well-populated areas and move in groups where possible.
• Be mindful of your belongings in busy retail areas to prevent opportunistic 'other theft', which accounts for 7% of local crime.
• If you are a business owner, ensure your shoplifting prevention measures are robust, as this is the second most common crime in the town.
• For residents, even though burglary rates are low, always ensure that windows and doors are locked when the property is unoccupied, especially during the night.
• Park vehicles in well-lit areas or driveways, as vehicle crime is most likely to occur during the night-time hours (12am-6am).

Crime in Felixstowe shows a heavy concentration during the daytime for theft-related offences. Morning and afternoon periods see theft accounting for 49% and 52% of crimes respectively, highlighting the activity in commercial and retail zones. As the town moves into the evening and night, the nature of recorded incidents shifts toward 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, making up 64% of evening reports. Burglary and vehicle crime, while low overall, show their highest relative percentages during the night-time hours (12am-6am), with burglary at 12% and vehicle crime at 18% of incidents in that period. This suggests that while daytime is busier for minor thefts, the night-time requires more focus on property and vehicle security.

Felixstowe is the major urban and commercial centre in its immediate area, which results in a crime rate (55.6) higher than its surrounding residential villages. Nearby Trimley St Mary (28.9) and Trimley St Martin (41.1) offer quieter residential alternatives with lower crime volumes. Shotley Gate (25.0) and Shotley (0.0) across the estuary are also significantly safer, though they lack the amenities and transport links of Felixstowe. Compared to other major Suffolk towns like Lowestoft (83.0), Felixstowe remains a much safer urban option while still providing a vibrant town atmosphere and significant employment opportunities through its port.

In a town like Felixstowe, where property crime is relatively low but still present, the goal of home security should be total prevention. With burglary and vehicle crime making up a small but persistent part of the local statistics, homeowners can benefit from moving beyond traditional CCTV. Standard cameras are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, which often leaves you with nothing but footage of a masked intruder.

The scOS AI-powered operating system provides a proactive alternative. By monitoring your property boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats before they reach your front door. Its multi-camera intelligence understands the difference between a neighbour and a stranger, and can even verify vehicle plates using DVLA data. If a threat is detected, scOS doesn't just send a notification; it can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and speakers to warn off the intruder. In Felixstowe, where night-time vehicle crime is a specific (albeit small) risk, having a system that actively guards your driveway while you sleep is a significant advantage. This AI-driven approach ensures that your home is not just watched, but actively protected.