Lowestoft Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

September 2024 saw Lowestoft's crime rate remain at 7.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure 2.6% below the UK average of 7.7. This built-up area within East Suffolk continues to exhibit a distinct crime profile, with violent crimes dominating the landscape. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 45.8% of all reported crimes, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000 vs 2.1 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour followed at 12.5%, while criminal damage and arson made up 10.6% of incidents. These patterns align with the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential, commercial, and tourist spaces. Seasonal factors in September—such as the return of university students and the start of term—may contribute to increased street-level activity, though the overall crime rate remained stable compared to the previous month. The balance between violent and property crimes in Lowestoft contrasts with national trends, where property crimes often dominate. This suggests local dynamics, including the presence of retail and leisure facilities, may play a role in shaping crime patterns. The data also highlights a relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000), consistent with the area's lower population density compared to major urban centres.

The most striking shift in September was the 400% surge in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a dramatic increase that outpaced all other categories. This spike, while small in absolute terms, may reflect seasonal factors such as the return of students to university campuses or increased outdoor activity as daylight hours shorten. Concurrently, theft from the person rose by 300% (1 to 4), suggesting a possible link to the start of the academic term and heightened pedestrian traffic in town centres. Other crime also jumped by 233% (6 to 20), though the nature of these incidents remains unspecified in the breakdown. By contrast, robbery fell by 50% (2 to 1), and possession of weapons dropped by 50% (6 to 3), possibly due to increased police visibility during the summer months or seasonal changes in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences remained high compared to the UK average (3.4 per 1,000 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a trend that has persisted in recent months. The area's anti-social behaviour rate (0.9 per 1,000) is 23% below the UK average, likely influenced by local initiatives or community engagement efforts. These figures highlight the importance of context-specific analysis, as national averages may not always reflect local realities.

Lowestoft's crime rate in September (7.5 per 1,000) was 1.9% higher than August's 7.3 per 1,000, though this change is considered stable within the margin of error. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 18 crimes per day, a figure that may seem high to residents but is contextually comparable to other coastal towns with similar population densities. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 134 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Lowestoft slightly below the UK average when aggregated across all areas. This statistic, however, does not account for variations in population size or geographic spread. The comparison to the previous month reveals no significant shift in overall crime trends, suggesting that local policing strategies and community factors have maintained relative stability. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while individual incidents can feel impactful, the rate per capita remains consistent with broader regional patterns. This data helps residents contextualise their personal risk, though it is important to remember that crime hotspots can vary significantly within the built-up area of Lowestoft.