Mid Suffolk Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remain the most significant category of crime in Mid Suffolk, accounting for 41.1% of all reported incidents in May 2023. This dominance, despite a 62.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000 residents, underscores the area's unique crime profile. With a total of 331 crimes recorded at a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents, the district's overall safety record is starkly contrasted by the prominence of interpersonal violence. This pattern is consistent with Mid Suffolk's character as a rural district with limited urban density, where smaller communities may experience higher concentrations of violent incidents relative to larger cities. Seasonal factors in May—such as extended evenings and bank holidays—likely contribute to increased socialising in public spaces, potentially amplifying risks of alcohol-fuelled disputes. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, also fell significantly below the UK average, reflecting the area's broader safety context. However, the relatively high share of violent crime compared to property crimes (violence accounts for 41.1% versus property crimes at 29.3%) suggests a need for targeted strategies to address root causes, such as localised tensions or access to support services. The low rates of property crimes, particularly shoplifting and vehicle crime, align with the district's rural nature, where commercial areas are less densely concentrated than in urban centres. This interplay between geography and crime type illustrates how local conditions shape patterns, even as national comparisons highlight Mid Suffolk's overall safety.

May 2023 saw a 50% increase in drug-related incidents, rising from 8 to 12, a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in social activity. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 51.1%, possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity during the transition into warmer weather. The most significant single increase was a 100% rise in theft from the person, with one incident reported after none in the previous month. This category, though rare, highlights vulnerabilities in public spaces during extended evenings. Meanwhile, vehicle crime decreased by 26.7%, a trend consistent with lower foot traffic in retail areas during May. The dominance of violence and sexual offences—57% below the UK average—suggests that while the area remains safer than national norms, targeted interventions may still be needed to address this category's disproportionate share of total crimes.

Mid Suffolk's crime rate in May 2023 fell to 3.0 per 1,000 residents, an 11.5% decline from the previous month's 3.4 per 1,000. This represents a localised improvement. below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 11 incidents per day across the district, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported crime in everyday life. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 335 residents, a ratio that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the national average. With a population of 110,775, this monthly exposure underscores the area's consistent safety profile, though fluctuations in specific crime categories—such as the 50% rise in drug-related incidents—suggest ongoing shifts in local dynamics. The comparison to the previous month's data also reveals a broader trend: while violent crime remains the dominant category, its rate is 57% below the UK average, reinforcing Mid Suffolk's position as a safer-than-average region.