Felixstowe Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Felixstowe's crime profile in July 2023 was dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 45.6% of all reported crimes. This category, at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, exceeded the UK average by 8%, highlighting a significant localised challenge despite the overall crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 being 21.7% below the national average. The prominence of violent crime in a coastal built-up area may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as increased social activity during the summer months and the influx of tourists. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category, contributing 20.3% of total crimes, while criminal damage and arson accounted for 8.9%. The seasonal context of July—characterised by schools being out, peak tourism, and festivals—likely contributes to the dynamics observed. However, the overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives. The breakdown of crimes also reveals stark contrasts with national trends: drug-related offences were 127% above the UK average, while shoplifting and burglary were significantly below. These discrepancies may reflect the area's unique socio-economic profile, including its reliance on tourism and the presence of specific local amenities that influence criminal opportunities.

July 2023 saw a 175% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 4 to 11 incidents. This sharp rise may be linked to the area's summer tourism peak and associated events. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 77.8% compared to the previous month, dropping from 9 to 2 incidents. This decline could reflect heightened security measures or seasonal shifts in criminal activity patterns. The violence and sexual offences category, which accounts for 45.6% of all crimes, was 8% above the UK average rate of 2.8 per 1,000. This divergence highlights a localised challenge in addressing violent crime, despite the overall rate being below the national average. Meanwhile, shoplifting incidents decreased by 20%, aligning with the UK average and indicating the impact of summer retail strategies or increased foot traffic in monitored areas.

Felixstowe's crime rate in July 2023 remained stable at 6.5 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local crime dynamics during the summer period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity within the built-up area. When considering the population-scaled perspective, over the course of July, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. The stability in overall crime rate contrasts with notable variations in specific categories, such as the sharp rise in drug-related offences, which will be explored in the highlights section. The absence of a significant increase in property crimes, despite the peak summer season, may reflect the area's unique characteristics, such as its coastal location and the nature of its local economy.