Felixstowe Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Felixstowe's built-up area in East Suffolk recorded a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents in November 2023, placing it 38.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This marks a continuation of the area's historically lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.5% of all reported crimes, followed by other theft (11.7%) and public order incidents (9.9%). The seasonal context of November—characterised by shorter daylight hours, Bonfire Night celebrations, and the Black Friday shopping surge—likely contributed to patterns observed in the data. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, the rate of violence and sexual offences in Felixstowe (1.8 per 1,000) is 31% below the UK average for this category. This contrast with the national trend may reflect the area's relatively small population, limited nightlife venues, and strong community policing presence. However, the sharp increase in shoplifting during the month—driven by Black Friday promotions—raises concerns for retailers and residents alike. The combination of extended shopping hours and increased foot traffic in the town centre during November likely created opportunities for opportunistic theft. This surge in shoplifting, which rose from one reported incident in October to eight in November, underscores the need for heightened vigilance during peak retail periods.

November 2023 saw a dramatic 700% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from one to eight reported cases. This surge aligns with the timing of Black Friday promotions, which typically drive both consumer activity and retail crime. The spike in theft from the person—doubling from zero to one incident—suggests heightened vulnerability during darker evenings, potentially linked to Bonfire Night celebrations. Conversely, several categories experienced notable declines: criminal damage and arson fell by 71.4% (from 21 to 6 incidents), while anti-social behaviour dropped by 64.7% (from 17 to 6). These reductions may reflect seasonal factors, such as fewer large gatherings in November compared to summer months, or the impact of local initiatives addressing anti-social conduct. Vehicle crime decreased by 50% (from four to two incidents), due to reduced car park usage during the holiday season. The crime mix also shifted, with violent crime accounting for 40.5% of all incidents—slightly higher than the UK average for this category (31% of total UK crimes). However, the overall crime rate in Felixstowe remains significantly below national levels, with other theft (11.7% of total) and public order offences (9.9%) also performing below UK averages. Residents should remain vigilant, particularly during late-night hours and in high-traffic retail areas.

Felixstowe's November 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents represents a 21.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.8 per 1,000. This decline, while notable, contrasts with the UK average, which remains consistently higher at 7.5 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately four crimes per day in November, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 220 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would equate to roughly one crime for every 130 residents. The population context further highlights Felixstowe's comparatively low crime levels: with a population of 24,417, the town's total of 111 crimes in November represents a much lower per-capita risk than the UK average. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour, which in Felixstowe (0.3 per 1,000) is 71% below the UK average (1.1 per 1,000). However, the sharp increase in shoplifting and theft from the person raises questions about the effectiveness of local prevention measures during peak retail periods. While the overall trend suggests a safer environment than the national average, the month-on-month volatility in specific crime types underscores the need for targeted strategies to address emerging risks.