East Suffolk Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

East Suffolk's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 38.1% below the UK average of 8.4. This marked disparity reflects the area's generally low crime profile, though the data reveals a surprising anomaly: theft from the person surged by 800% compared to April, rising from one to nine incidents. The most common crime type remained violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.5% of all reported incidents, a category that was itself 23% below the UK average. This contrast with the UK's higher rates of violent crime may be linked to East Suffolk's rural character, where community cohesion and policing strategies could contribute to lower levels of serious violence. Seasonal factors appear to have influenced patterns, as longer evenings and bank holidays in May likely increased opportunities for anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, which together made up 19.9% of all crimes. Anti-social behaviour in East Suffolk was 72% below the UK average, a gap that may reflect the area's lower population density and less concentrated urban environments. Property crimes, including shoplifting and vehicle crime, remained well below national averages, with shoplifting declining by 14.4% from April. The overall crime picture illustrates a balance between consistent low rates and occasional spikes, suggesting that while East Suffolk is generally safer than the UK average, targeted interventions may be needed to address specific issues like theft from the person.

The most striking shift in May 2024 was the 800% surge in theft from the person, rising from one reported incident to nine. This spike, though still low in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 50% decline in robbery, which fell from four to two. The crime mix also shifted, with violent crimes (41.5% of total) outpacing property crimes (37.4%), a reversal of the previous month's balance. East Suffolk's anti-social behaviour rate was 72% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 23% gap in violence and sexual offences, which were 2.2 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 2.8. This divergence may reflect local policing priorities or the area's character, where community-focused initiatives could contribute to lower levels of anti-social conduct. Residents might find the 25% above-average rate for bicycle theft noteworthy, as it suggests potential gaps in securing personal property during the active social season.

East Suffolk's crime rate in May 2024 rose slightly to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.8% increase from April's 5.0. This translates to roughly 42 crimes reported each day across the district, a figure that, while low compared to national averages, reflects the area's generally quiet crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 193 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a region with a population of nearly 250,000. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which is not directly comparable due to differing local demographics and policing strategies. The slight upward trend from April may be linked to seasonal factors, such as extended evenings and increased socialising, which can influence patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. However, the overall crime picture remains consistent with East Suffolk's historical trend of maintaining rates well below national benchmarks.