Rickinghall and Botesdale Crime Rate

Crime in Rickinghall and Botesdale

Rickinghall and Botesdale is a very safe urban settlement, with an overall crime rate of 30.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the area an outstanding safety score of 93/100. However, the crime trend in Rickinghall and Botesdale is currently increasing, with a 25.8% rise in total offences over the past year. While this is a notable increase, the overall crime rate remains very low, indicating that the area is still one of the more secure places to live in the region. For the 1,299 people living in Rickinghall and Botesdale, the data suggests a very safe residential environment. Understanding the local crime breakdown and time patterns can help residents maintain this high level of safety. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the statistics for Rickinghall and Botesdale.

Crime Breakdown in Rickinghall and Botesdale

Rickinghall and Botesdale is a very safe urban settlement where violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 41.0% of all recorded incidents at a rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents. Public order is the second most frequent issue at 15.4%, followed by other crime at 12.8%. These figures indicate that community-level disturbances and personal safety are the primary focus for the local area.

Property-related crime in Rickinghall and Botesdale—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a low combined rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people. Criminal damage and arson (10.3%) and shoplifting (5.1%) are the most significant contributors to this category. Burglary and other theft both account for 2.6% of the total crime volume. For residents, this suggests a very secure environment where the risk of home invasion or vehicle theft is minimal. However, the rates of criminal damage and public order offences indicate that perimeter security and community-level monitoring are still important for maintaining the area's high safety standards.

Rickinghall and Botesdale Crime Trends

The crime trend in Rickinghall and Botesdale is currently increasing, with a 25.8% year-over-year rise in total offences. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows that crime rates remain low, ranging between 0.8 and 4.6 per 1,000 residents.

The highest activity was recorded in May 2025 (4.6) and March 2025 (3.9), while the lowest activity was seen in September 2025 (0.8) and January/August 2025 (1.5). This overall upward trend, while based on a low volume of crime, suggests that residents should remain vigilant. Despite the increase, Rickinghall and Botesdale remains a very safe environment with a crime rate that is approximately 68% lower than the national average. The minor monthly variations are typical for an area with relatively low crime figures.

How To Keep Safe in Rickinghall and Botesdale

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Rickinghall and Botesdale. To stay safe, it is advisable to walk in well-lit areas and stay aware of your surroundings, particularly when travelling alone in more isolated parts of the settlement. Sharing your location with friends or family can provide an extra layer of security.

Public order and other crime are significant local factors; if you encounter such behaviour, report it to the local police or Mid Suffolk District Council. To protect your property against the 10.3% rate of criminal damage, consider installing motion-sensor lighting and ensuring your fences and gates are in good repair. For vehicle owners, always ensure that your car is locked and that no valuables are left on display, even though vehicle crime is not currently a recorded issue in local data. For homeowners, ensuring all doors and windows have high-quality locks can help protect against the very low but still possible risk of burglary. Finally, joining a local Neighbourhood Watch group can help you stay informed about any crime trends in your area.

Rickinghall and Botesdale Time Patterns

Crime in Rickinghall and Botesdale shows distinct patterns throughout the day, though the overall volume is very low. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), other crimes account for 60% of incidents, while theft-related offences make up 28%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains significant at 29%, while burglary rates are at 21%.

The evening (6pm-12am) sees a shift, with other crimes peaking at 75%, while burglary drops to 16%. The most notable pattern occurs during the night (12am-6am), where other crimes reach 69% of all recorded incidents and burglary surges to 25%. There are no recorded incidents of vehicle crime across any time period in the current data. This suggests that the very few crimes that do occur in Rickinghall and Botesdale are primarily non-property related and occur mostly during the evening and night. Residents are advised to maintain standard security precautions, though the overall risk of property crime remains exceptionally low.

Nearby Area Comparison

Rickinghall and Botesdale is one of the safer urban settlements in the region. When compared to nearby areas such as Hinderclay, Redgrave, and Wattisfield, which all report no crime, the area's rate of 30.0 is higher. However, it remains very low compared to both regional and national averages and is similar to the rate in Wortham (26.8). For those living in the region, Rickinghall and Botesdale offers a high level of security and a relatively safe environment within the Mid Suffolk local authority area.

Proactive Security in Rickinghall and Botesdale

Rickinghall and Botesdale has a very low property crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents. However, criminal damage and other theft are the most frequent property offences. For homeowners, the goal is to maintain the area's high safety standards by preventing opportunistic crime before it occurs. Traditional security systems, such as doorbell cameras or basic CCTV, are reactive; they notify you after an event has happened or provide footage for evidence. In an area with an increasing crime trend, proactive prevention is even more important.

scOS provides a proactive security solution by using AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between normal activity and a potential threat, such as someone loitering near your home or outbuildings. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously respond with lights and speakers, deterring the intruder before they can cause damage or attempt a break-in. In a settlement like Rickinghall and Botesdale, where property crime is rare, proactive prevention ensures that your home remains a hard target, preserving the secure character of the neighbourhood.