Woodbridge Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Woodbridge, 3.6 crimes were reported in December 2023 — a rate 50% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly 1 crime occurring for every 281 residents over the course of the month. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (11 incidents, 32.4% of total crimes), followed by other theft (6 incidents, 17.7%) and anti-social behaviour (4 incidents, 11.8%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of a small built-up area in East Suffolk, where December’s long evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and the presence of empty homes during the holiday period may contribute to increased vulnerability. Violence and sexual offences, though lower than the UK average, remained the largest single category, potentially reflecting the area’s compact nature where incidents can be more concentrated. Other theft, which rose sharply compared to November, may be linked to seasonal retail activity, while anti-social behaviour’s lower-than-average rate could indicate community cohesion or effective local policing. The overall crime profile suggests a relatively safe environment, though the seasonal context highlights periods of heightened risk that residents should remain aware of.

December 2023 saw sharp month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Other theft increased by 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents), likely tied to Christmas shopping activity and the presence of high-value items in retail areas. Criminal damage and arson also rose by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), which may be consistent with seasonal property neglect during holidays. In contrast, public order offences fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1 incident), possibly due to reduced nightlife activity or stricter enforcement during the festive period. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 42.1% (from 19 to 11 incidents), a significant drop that could reflect the impact of seasonal holidays reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. Other theft’s rate of 0.6 per 1,000 is just 2% above the UK average, highlighting a rare category where Woodbridge’s rate is close to the national benchmark. Meanwhile, possession of weapons — at 0.2 per 1,000 — is 233% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, suggesting a specific local concern that warrants further attention.

Woodbridge’s crime rate in December 2023 (3.6 per 1,000) was 9.9% higher than the previous month’s rate of 3.2 per 1,000, indicating a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in December, a figure that, while low, underscores the potential for sudden incidents in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, this translated to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 281 residents — a statistic that provides context for individual risk perception. With a population of 9,559, the absolute number of 34 crimes represents a manageable volume for local services to address. However, the 9.9% increase from November suggests a need for vigilance, particularly in light of the seasonal factors that may have contributed to the rise in specific categories like other theft and criminal damage. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while Woodbridge remains significantly safer than the UK average, the modest month-on-month increase highlights the importance of maintaining community-focused crime prevention measures, especially during periods of heightened activity such as the Christmas season.