East Suffolk Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

May 2024 saw East Suffolk's crime rate remain significantly below the UK average, at 5.2 per 1,000 residents—a figure 38.1% lower than the national rate of 8.4 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.5% of all reported incidents, but these remained 23% below the UK average. The seasonal context of May—longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributed to the persistent prevalence of violent crime, which may be partly explained by the area's mix of rural and semi-urban communities where such interactions are more common. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.4 per 1,000, was 72% below the UK average, reflecting the lower population density and potentially stronger community networks in East Suffolk. The data also highlights a stark anomaly: theft from the person, though still a minor category, surged 800% compared to April, an unexpected spike that contrasts with broader trends of declining property-related crimes. This anomaly may indicate a shift in criminal activity patterns. Overall, the crime profile of East Suffolk continues to diverge from national trends, with violent crime dominating but remaining proportionally lower than in more densely populated regions. The area's rural character, with its dispersed population and limited nightlife, may explain the lower rates of public order offences and shoplifting, which were 53% and 52% below UK averages respectively.

The most striking anomaly in May 2024 was an 800% increase in theft from the person, rising from 1 to 9 incidents. This surge contrasts sharply with a 50% drop in robbery, which fell from 4 to 2. Vehicle crime also decreased by 25.3%, aligning with a broader trend of property-related offences declining. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.5% of all crimes, but they were 23% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.4 per 1,000, was 72% below the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000—a disparity likely linked to East Suffolk's rural setting, where such incidents may be less common. Residents might find the 42 daily crime figure useful for contextualising local safety, though the overall rate remains well below national benchmarks.

East Suffolk's crime rate in May 2024 rose 2.8% compared to April's 5.0 per 1,000, now standing at 5.2 per 1,000. This places the area 38.1% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a consistent trend reflecting the region's lower population density and rural character. On average, 42 crimes were reported daily in May, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 193 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in East Suffolk. The population context—249,664 residents—means that even with the 2.8% increase, the absolute number of crimes remains proportionally modest compared to larger urban areas. This pattern aligns with East Suffolk's profile as a largely rural district, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime.