West Suffolk Crime Rate

About West Suffolk

West Suffolk records an overall crime rate of 74.5 per 1,000 people annually, placing it notably below the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a safety score of 81 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 78, indicating a generally safer environment. Over the past year, West Suffolk has seen its crime rate remain relatively stable, experiencing a slight decrease of 5.0%. This introduction provides a snapshot of the crime landscape, offering context for the more detailed statistics that follow regarding specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas within this district.

Understanding Crime in West Suffolk

West Suffolk is a diverse local authority district characterised by a blend of picturesque rural landscapes and vibrant market towns such as Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, and Haverhill. With a population of 157,500, the area benefits from a lower population density compared to highly urbanised regions, which can influence crime patterns. The district's economy relies on agriculture, local commerce, and some tourism, with various activities ranging from quiet village life to busier town centres with retail and hospitality. While these characteristics generally contribute to a lower crime rate, the presence of transport hubs and commercial areas can attract certain types of offences. The stable crime rate and higher safety score suggest that local community initiatives and policing efforts are effective in maintaining a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

Crime Type Analysis in West Suffolk

An analysis of crime types in West Suffolk reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 5,133 crimes, or 32.6 per 1,000 residents, representing 44.6% of all recorded incidents. Following this, Criminal damage and arson stands as the second most common, with 1,107 crimes (7.0 per 1,000, 9.6% of total), while Public order offences are third, with 892 incidents (5.7 per 1,000, 7.8% of total).

When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, other theft, shoplifting, vehicle crime, bicycle theft, theft from the person, robbery, and criminal damage and arson, West Suffolk records a rate of 24.4 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, other theft accounts for 890 crimes, shoplifting for 726, vehicle crime for 405, and burglary for 398. For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while property crime is present, it is less pervasive than the national average. Nonetheless, understanding these patterns can help in taking targeted preventive measures to safeguard homes and possessions.

Crime Trends in West Suffolk

Over the last year, West Suffolk has experienced a stable crime trend, with a slight year-over-year decrease of 5.0%. This indicates a consistent effort in maintaining public safety. Examining the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations throughout the period. Crime rates per 1,000 residents saw a dip in December 2024 (5.4) and February 2025 (5.2), suggesting potentially lower activity during these months. Conversely, there were noticeable increases in July 2025 (7.2) and August 2025 (7.0), which might correspond to seasonal factors or increased social activity during the summer months. For residents, this stable trend is reassuring, suggesting that the overall safety of the area is being maintained. However, awareness of monthly variations can help individuals be more vigilant during periods of higher reported crime.

Regional Crime Comparison

To provide regional context, West Suffolk's crime landscape can be compared with several similar areas. While specific crime rates for these areas aren't detailed here, West Suffolk's overall crime rate of 74.5 per 1,000 and safety score of 81/100 offer a benchmark. Nearby East Cambridgeshire and Mid Suffolk typically exhibit similar rural and market town characteristics, often implying comparable crime challenges. Babergh, another Suffolk district, also shares a similar demographic profile. Breckland, in Norfolk, and Braintree in Essex, present further points of comparison, often facing a mix of rural and town-centre related offences. Cambridge, being a more urbanised and university city, would likely present a different crime profile, potentially with higher rates of certain urban-specific crimes. This regional perspective highlights West Suffolk's position as a relatively safe area within its broader geographical context.

Protecting Your Property in West Suffolk

Given West Suffolk's property crime rate of 24.4 per 1,000 people, which is below the national average, it remains crucial for residents to consider robust home security measures. Traditional security often provides footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. If you are seeking to truly prevent crime before it happens, proactive solutions are available.

An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS is designed to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping intruders before they can cause damage or gain entry. Unlike basic DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. It leverages multi-camera intelligence to monitor all vantage points simultaneously, ensuring no threat goes unnoticed. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles with fake plates, while pattern learning helps the system recognise your family and routines, only alerting on genuine threats. When a threat is detected, scOS can activate lights and engage speakers, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars decide within 60 seconds if a property is too much trouble; visible, professional-grade deterrence makes them move on, providing a level of protection that simple recording devices cannot match.