Ipswich Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ipswich's crime rate for February 2024 stood at 7.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 7.0% above the UK average of 7.1. This figure reflects a combination of factors, including the seasonal context of a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.3% of all incidents, with 474 cases reported. This category alone was 36% above the UK average, indicating a significant divergence from national trends. Criminal damage and arson (9.4%) and public order offences (8.7%) followed closely, both exceeding the UK average by 30% and 43% respectively. These patterns may be influenced by Ipswich's status as a coastal town with a mix of urban and residential areas, where public spaces and high-traffic zones could contribute to incidents of vandalism and disorder. The seasonal context of February—a month typically associated with reduced daylight and colder temperatures—may have exacerbated tensions in communal settings, particularly in areas with high concentrations of younger residents or transient populations. While property crimes accounted for 333 incidents (31.1% of the total), they did not dominate the profile as starkly as violent crimes, suggesting a distinct emphasis on interpersonal conflicts and public disorder in this period. This data underscores the need for targeted measures to address the specific drivers of violence and disorder in Ipswich during winter months.

February 2024 saw a 47.7% surge in anti-social behaviour, rising from 65 to 96 incidents. This increase may be linked to the winter season, where confined spaces and reduced outdoor activity could amplify tensions in shared living environments. Concurrently, 'other crime' rose by 34.8%, with 31 reported incidents, suggesting a broad range of unclassified or evolving criminal activities. Bicycle theft also increased by 25%, from 12 to 15 cases, reflecting higher cycling rates in colder weather or targeted thefts in residential areas. Violent crimes—accounting for 44.3% of total incidents—remained 36% above the UK average, with 474 cases reported. This stark contrast to the national trend underscores Ipswich's unique profile, where violence and sexual offences dominate over property crimes. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 31.1% to 31 incidents, due to reduced outdoor activity or seasonal changes in transportation patterns.

Ipswich's crime rate in February 2024 remained stable compared to January, with a -1.4% decrease from 7.7 to 7.6 per 1,000 residents. This suggests little change in the overall crime profile despite specific fluctuations in certain categories. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 37 crimes per day, reflecting the pace of incidents in a populated urban district. When considering the population-scaled perspective, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 131 residents over the course of the month. This figure provides a snapshot of how frequently residents may encounter crime locally, though it does not account for variations in individual risk factors. The rate, while slightly above the UK average, shows a nuanced picture where some categories—such as anti-social behaviour and bicycle theft—exceeded national trends, while others, like vehicle crime, fell below. This balance highlights the importance of local context in understanding crime patterns, rather than relying solely on aggregate figures.