Lowestoft Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 70,875 residents, Lowestoft recorded 538 crimes in April 2024, equating to 0.76% of the population being directly involved in reported incidents. This places the area at 7.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, 1.3% below the UK average of 7.7. Violence and sexual offences (192 incidents) accounted for nearly a third of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (72) and anti-social behaviour (55). The seasonal context of April—a time of Easter celebrations, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—may partly explain patterns in crime distribution. While the overall rate remains close to the national average, the prominence of violent crime contrasts with lower-than-average rates for burglary (38% below UK levels) and public order offences (25% below UK levels). This suggests a combination of local demographics, such as the presence of retail and leisure spaces, and broader seasonal trends. The town’s proximity to coastal areas may also influence crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences linked to increased foot traffic during holiday periods. However, the absence of significant spikes in theft from the person or vehicle crime compared to previous months indicates that current policing efforts may be effectively addressing certain vulnerabilities. The breakdown also reveals a notable gap in reported bicycle theft, which was 186% above the UK average, raising questions about local infrastructure or enforcement priorities in this category.

April 2024 saw significant shifts in crime trends, with bicycle theft surging by 85.7% (from 7 to 13 incidents) and vehicle crime rising by 64% (from 25 to 41). These increases may reflect seasonal factors such as warmer weather encouraging cycling and increased outdoor activity. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 88.9% (from 9 to 1), a decline that could be attributed to heightened police presence or improved security measures in high-risk areas. The category of violence and sexual offences (2.7 per 1,000) remains 5% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson (1.0 per 1,000) is 69% above national levels. This divergence from UK norms highlights specific local challenges, linked to the town’s built-up character and the density of retail or residential properties. Anti-social behaviour, however, fell by 27.6% (from 76 to 55), a drop that may align with Easter-related community activities or temporary adjustments in policing strategies. Residents should note the sharp rise in bicycle theft, which is now 186% above the UK average—a figure that could inform personal security practices or local initiatives to address vulnerabilities in this category.

The crime rate in Lowestoft fell by 9.3% from 8.4 per 1,000 in March 2024 to 7.6 per 1,000 in April, marking a notable improvement. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 18 crimes each day in April, a figure that provides a tangible sense of frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 132 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the impact of crime within the population. When scaled to Lowestoft’s 70,875 residents, the 538 total crimes represent a manageable proportion of the population, though specific categories like bicycle theft and vehicle crime remain areas of concern. The comparison to the UK average also reveals a nuanced picture: while overall rates are slightly lower than national levels, certain types of crime—such as criminal damage and arson—exceed UK norms by a wide margin. This suggests that localised factors, such as the density of commercial properties or the presence of specific community spaces, may be contributing to these discrepancies. The drop in anti-social behaviour and theft from the person, combined with the rise in vehicle crime, illustrates the dynamic nature of crime patterns and the need for ongoing analysis to identify emerging trends.