Felixstowe Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Felixstowe’s crime rate stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, 25.9% below the UK average of 8.1. The balance between property and violent crime shifted markedly, with violent offences (48 incidents) accounting for 32.7% of all crimes, compared to property crimes (33 incidents, 22.4%). This contrast highlights a local pattern where personal safety concerns outweighed property-related issues, a dynamic often observed in areas with transient populations or seasonal visitor influxes. Violence and sexual offences were the most common category, followed by anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month, increased tourism, and potential empty homes—may have influenced this trend, though the overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, though slightly above the UK average (1.4 vs 1.5 per 1,000), and public order offences (50% above UK average) suggest challenges in managing public spaces during high-traffic periods. The absence of major property crimes like burglary (1 incident) or vehicle crime (1 incident) contrasts with the UK averages, potentially reflecting the area’s compact, coastal layout and lower density of commercial spaces. This data underscores a unique crime profile for Felixstowe, where personal safety dominates over property-related risks, a trend that may align with its role as a commuter hub and tourist destination during summer months.

August 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons surged by 400%, rising from 1 to 5 incidents, a stark anomaly that may reflect heightened local tensions or enforcement activity. Public order offences increased by 75% (12 to 21), and vehicle crime doubled from 0 to 1, suggesting a spike in incidents tied to summer traffic patterns or unsecured vehicles. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 75% (from 4 to 1), possibly due to reduced retail activity during school holidays or stricter store security measures. Violent crimes, though remaining the most frequent category, were 24% below the UK average (2.0 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a contrast to the national trend. Anti-social behaviour, while 4% above the UK average, and public order offences (50% above) highlight local pressures in public spaces. Burglary, shoplifting, and vehicle crime were all 100% below UK averages, reflecting the area’s low-density structure and limited commercial zones. For residents, the sharp rise in weapon possession—a 400% increase—may signal a need for community engagement or targeted policing. The violent-to-property crime ratio (48:33) also suggests that personal safety remains a primary concern for Felixstowe’s population during this period.

Felixstowe’s crime rate in August 2023 (6.0 per 1,000) marked a 7.0% decline from the previous month’s rate of 6.5, indicating a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while modest, reflects the impact of seasonal factors. Monthly exposure calculations show that one crime occurred for every 166 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population of 24,417. This rate is lower than the UK average, with violent crimes remaining 24% below the national benchmark and property crimes (excluding burglary) also underperforming compared to the UK. The previous month’s rate (6.5) suggests a marginal improvement, though the 7% decrease is modest. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Felixstowe’s lower crime rate is consistent with its status as a coastal town with limited urban sprawl, where crime tends to be concentrated in specific high-traffic zones rather than widespread. While daily crime counts appear stable, the fluctuating nature of specific categories—such as public order offences and weapon possession—indicates that localized pressures can still drive short-term spikes. For residents, the 1-in-166 monthly exposure rate may offer reassurance, but the sharp increase in weapon-related incidents underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of local crime dynamics.