Badwell Ash Crime Rate

Badwell Ash is a notably secure community, currently holding an impressive safety score of 91/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 32.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Although the year-over-year trend indicates a 55.6% increase in reported incidents, this rise is from a very low baseline, common in smaller rural settlements. Residents benefit from a property crime rate of 14.0 per 1,000, which is well below the UK average of 32.9. This data suggests that while the area is experiencing a period of growth in reported figures, it remains one of the safer urban settlements within the Mid Suffolk local authority.

In Badwell Ash, the most significant crime categories are violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.7% of all reports, followed by other theft at 14.3% and burglary at 9.5%. When examining property-related crime collectively—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—the rate is 14.0 per 1,000 residents. This combined figure is notably lower than the UK average, suggesting that while residents should remain mindful of home security, the area does not suffer from high levels of systemic property crime. For homeowners, maintaining visible deterrents remains a prudent strategy to keep these figures low.

The crime rate in Badwell Ash has experienced a notable upward trend, increasing by 55.6% year-over-year. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows a series of fluctuations, with the rate starting at 3.9 per 1,000 in November 2024 and dropping to a low of 0.8 in February 2025. However, the latter half of 2025 saw a steady rise, culminating in a peak of 4.7 per 1,000 in October. While these figures remain low in absolute terms, the consistent increase throughout the autumn months suggests a shift in local activity. This trend highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security measures, as even safe areas can experience periods of heightened risk.

How To Keep Safe in Badwell Ash

As violence and sexual offences represent the highest proportion of local crime at 35.7%, personal safety and situational awareness are paramount. Although the overall crime volume is low, residents should avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas after dark and stick to well-known routes. It is also advisable to keep a mobile phone charged and accessible when out. Given the rural nature of the area, community vigilance is highly effective; joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme can help keep residents informed of any suspicious activity. For those concerned about property, ensuring that boundary gates are locked and that the perimeter of the home is well-lit can deter opportunistic theft, which is the second most common crime type in the village.

Crime patterns in Badwell Ash show a distinct shift between daylight and nocturnal hours. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most prevalent, accounting for up to 59% of incidents. This suggests that opportunistic crimes often occur when residents are away from their homes or during periods of higher transit. Conversely, the night-time period between midnight and 6am sees a significant spike in vehicle crime, which constitutes 31% of all reports. Burglary also remains a consistent threat during the evening and night, peaking at 19% of incidents during the early hours. These patterns highlight the need for robust daytime property security and enhanced vehicle protection overnight.

When comparing Badwell Ash to its immediate neighbours, it sits in a relatively active pocket. Nearby areas such as Walsham le Willows, Upthorpe in West Suffolk, and Norton in Mid Suffolk all reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people in the latest data. In contrast, Stanton in West Suffolk has a crime rate of 24.8 per 1,000. While Badwell Ash's rate of 32.8 is higher than these specific localities, it remains well within the expected range for a small built-up area and continues to offer a high level of relative safety for the region.

In an area like Badwell Ash, where property crime sits at 14.0 per 1,000 people, the focus of home security should be on prevention rather than just recording. Traditional reactive systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. This is a significant limitation when trying to protect your home and family. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using multi-camera AI intelligence to detect potential threats at the property boundary. By identifying suspicious patterns and unauthorised vehicles—verified against DVLA databases—scOS can trigger autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers before an intruder even attempts entry. This proactive approach destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For residents in rural settlements where police response times may be longer, having an AI system that never blinks and intervenes in real-time provides a superior level of protection that simple recording devices cannot match.