Lowestoft Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

May 2025 saw Lowestoft's crime rate remain lower than the UK average, with 6.5 crimes reported per 1,000 residents — a figure 19.8% below the national average of 8.1. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 44.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.2%) and criminal damage and arson (11.9%). This pattern aligns with Lowestoft's status as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where public spaces and social interactions may contribute to higher violent crime rates. The seasonal context of May, with extended evenings and bank holidays, likely influenced the increase in public order offences and anti-social behaviour. Property crimes represented only 32.4% of total incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average where property crimes typically make up a larger share. This divergence suggests that Lowestoft's crime profile is shaped by local factors such as its coastal geography and community dynamics, which may reduce property-related incidents while amplifying interpersonal conflicts. The town's relatively low burglary rate (2.6 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (3.0 per 1,000) further supports the idea that environmental and social characteristics play a significant role in shaping crime patterns.

May 2025 marked an unusual spike in robbery, with incidents rising 500% from one to six — the most dramatic month-on-month change in the dataset. This surge, though small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 69.6% drop in drug-related crimes, which fell from 23 to seven. Public order offences also saw a significant 114.3% increase, rising from 14 to 30, potentially linked to the extended evenings and bank holidays typical of May. While Lowestoft's overall crime rate remains below the UK average, certain categories show stark differences: anti-social behaviour is 37% below the national rate, and shoplifting is 55% below, suggesting a lower prevalence of minor public disturbances and retail theft compared to other areas. Conversely, violence and sexual offences in Lowestoft are 2% above the UK average, a narrow but notable deviation that may reflect local demographic factors. The data also reveals a 47.8% decrease in burglary, with incidents dropping from 23 to 12 — a reduction that, while modest, aligns with the broader trend of falling property crimes in the area. These fluctuations highlight the combination of seasonal rhythms, community policing efforts, and the unique characteristics of Lowestoft as a coastal town with a distinct social fabric.

Lowestoft's crime rate in May 2025 rose 4.0% from the previous month's 6.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend despite remaining well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 15 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by the town's population of 70,875. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 153 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average for similar-sized towns. This statistic, when considered alongside the population-scaled perspective, suggests that Lowestoft's residents face a relatively low risk of encountering crime compared to other areas. The previous month's rate of 6.3 per 1,000 provides a useful benchmark, illustrating that the increase in May was modest and unlikely to signal a major shift in local safety. The daily crime count, while a useful metric for residents concerned about immediate risks, does not capture the full picture of long-term trends. When compared to the UK average, Lowestoft's crime profile continues to show distinct patterns — particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, where the town's rates are significantly lower. These comparative insights help contextualise the numbers for local residents, offering a nuanced understanding of how Lowestoft's crime profile differs from national trends.