Felixstowe Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Felixstowe, the December 2023 crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents translates to a daily risk of encountering roughly 4 crimes across the built-up area. This rate is 27.8% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to the national profile. The most prevalent crime type, violence and sexual offences, accounts for 40.6% of all reported incidents, a figure that is 20% below the UK average for this category. This may partly explain the local context, as the area’s seasonal dynamics—such as extended dark evenings and the Christmas shopping peak—likely contribute to heightened vulnerability in public spaces. Meanwhile, property crimes remain relatively low, with shoplifting and criminal damage and arson each contributing 11.7% of total incidents. The latter category, in particular, saw a sharp 150% increase month-on-month, suggesting a possible link to festive property-related tensions or unoccupied homes during the holiday period. These patterns align with the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where retail and public spaces may amplify certain crime types during seasonal transitions.

December 2023 saw significant month-on-month shifts in crime trends, with criminal damage and arson surging by 150% (from 6 to 15 incidents), anti-social behaviour rising 133.3% (from 6 to 14), and shoplifting increasing by 87.5% (from 8 to 15). These spikes contrast with declines in bicycle theft (-50%) and vehicle crime (-50%), which may reflect reduced outdoor activity during colder weather or fewer opportunities for such crimes. Violence and sexual offences—accounting for 40.6% of all crimes—remain 20% below the UK average, a consistent trend that could be attributed to the area’s relatively low population density and strong community policing presence. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour’s 35% deficit compared to the UK average suggests effective local interventions, though the sharp rise in this category raises questions about holiday-related stressors or increased social gatherings. For residents, the 1-in-191 residents figure for monthly exposure offers a tangible benchmark: over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for every 191 residents, a rate that, while showing a 15.2% increase from November, remains well below national levels.

Felixstowe’s December 2023 crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents marks a 15.2% increase from November’s 4.6 per 1,000, reflecting a modest seasonal uptick. However, this remains 27.8% below the UK average, underscoring the area’s ongoing safety relative to the national profile. On a daily basis, the built-up area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day, a figure that, while higher than the previous month, is still manageable in a community of 24,417 residents. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 191 residents illustrates a low-risk environment, even as December’s festive season introduced temporary fluctuations. This comparison highlights the importance of context: while the 15.2% month-on-month rise may concern some, it is far from indicative of a broader trend, especially when juxtaposed with the UK’s significantly higher average. The area’s demographic and geographic characteristics—such as its coastal location and spread-out residential layout—likely play a role in moderating crime rates, even during periods of increased social activity or seasonal challenges like reduced visibility.