Stowmarket Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In June 2024, Stowmarket recorded 115 crimes across a population of 21,290, translating to a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 34.1% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a consistent trend that highlights Stowmarket’s position as a relatively low-crime area within the country. The breakdown of incidents reveals that violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share of crimes (39.1%), followed by criminal damage and arson (10.4%) and public order offences (9.6%). These patterns may be influenced by the area’s character as a built-up area within Mid Suffolk, where a mix of urban and rural elements could contribute to a distinct crime profile. The start of summer, with its longer days and early tourism activity, may have played a role in shaping these figures, though the data suggests that violent crime remains lower than the UK average. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Stowmarket (2.1 per 1,000) is 24% below the national average, a discrepancy that may be partly explained by the area’s smaller population and lower levels of nightlife activity compared to larger urban centres. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, reflects a balance between property crimes (41 incidents) and violent crimes (45 incidents), with property-related offences making up 35.7% of the total. This mix may indicate that the area’s retail presence and community-focused policing strategies are effective in mitigating more serious crimes. However, the presence of drug-related offences, which rose sharply in June, suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary to address emerging trends. Seasonal factors, such as the start of summer and increased outdoor activity, may have influenced the types of crimes reported, though the overall rate remains stable compared to previous months. The data underscores the importance of maintaining local policing efforts and community engagement to sustain the current low-crime environment while addressing specific challenges like drug-related incidents.

June 2024 saw a sharp rise in drug-related offences, with a 200% increase from the previous month’s count of 2 to 6. This surge contrasts with a 69.2% decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 13 to 4 incidents. The drop in vehicle crime by 33.3% (from 3 to 2) aligns with seasonal patterns, as summer months often see reduced vehicle-related incidents due to warmer weather and increased foot traffic in public spaces. Meanwhile, the category of 'other crime' rose by 133.3%, reflecting a potential shift in criminal activity that may be influenced by local factors such as increased economic activity or changes in policing priorities. Violence and sexual offences remained 24% below the UK average at 2.1 per 1,000, a figure that may be attributed to the area’s lower population density and the presence of community-focused initiatives. Residents may find the reduction in anti-social behaviour particularly reassuring, as it suggests a measurable improvement in public order during the early summer period.

Stowmarket's crime rate in June 2024 (5.4 per 1,000) reflects an 8.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.9 per 1,000, marking a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately four crimes reported each day in June, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When scaled to the population of 21,290, this equates to one reported crime for every 185 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which is consistent with the area’s broader trend of being 34.1% below the national crime rate. The reduction in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime compared to May 2024 suggests that local policing or seasonal factors—such as the start of summer—may have contributed to a more stable environment. However, the increase in drug-related offences highlights a shifting focus in crime patterns that warrants attention. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the absolute number of crimes, the rate remains well below the national average, reinforcing Stowmarket’s position as a relatively safer area within the UK.