Bardwell Crime Rate

Bardwell is one of the safest settlements in West Suffolk, boasting an exceptionally high safety score of 95/100. Its overall crime rate of 13.7 per 1,000 residents is a mere fraction of the UK average of 91.6, reflecting its quiet, rural character. The area has seen a 5.6% decrease in crime year-over-year, indicating a stable and improving safety environment for its 1,243 inhabitants. Property crime is particularly low at 6.4 per 1,000, though burglary remains a notable component of the local statistics. For those living in or moving to Bardwell, the data presents a picture of a secure, low-risk community where crime is the exception rather than the rule.

Crime in Bardwell is notably low, with the most frequent reports being violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.3% of the total (4.8 per 1,000 residents). However, burglary is a significant factor in the local data, representing 17.6% of all incidents, with a rate of 2.4 per 1,000. This is followed by "other theft" and criminal damage, both at 11.8%.

The property crime rate in Bardwell is 6.4 per 1,000 people. While this is very low compared to the UK average of 32.2, the fact that burglary and theft make up a substantial portion of the village's total crime is relevant for homeowners. In such a quiet area, even a small number of burglaries can have a significant impact on the community's sense of security. The data suggests that while the overall volume of crime is minimal, property security remains the primary concern for residents. Ensuring that homes are well-protected against opportunistic entry is key to maintaining Bardwell's status as one of the safest settlements in West Suffolk.

Bardwell continues to be a very safe environment, with a 5.6% year-over-year decrease in crime. The monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate remains consistently low, rarely exceeding 3.2 per 1,000 residents. The year began with a rate of 2.4 in January, followed by several months of very low activity, including a dip to 0.8 in May and June. A slight increase was noted toward the end of the year, peaking at 3.2 per 1,000 in December. This late-year rise is often seen in residential areas during the winter months. Overall, the trend is one of stability and low crime volume, which supports the village's reputation as a secure and peaceful place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Bardwell

Violence and sexual offences are the most common reports in Bardwell, though the total volume is very low. Burglary also represents a significant portion of the village's small crime count, making home security a priority.

1. Secure Your Home: Given that burglary is the second most common crime, ensure all ground-floor windows and doors have robust locks. Even in a safe village, opportunistic thieves may test for unlocked entry points.
2. Use Timer Lights: Burglaries in Bardwell peak in the afternoon (42%). If you are away from home during the day or early evening, use timer switches for internal lights to create the illusion of occupancy.
3. Join a Local Scheme: Participate in the local Neighbourhood Watch or village social media groups. In small communities, residents are the best resource for spotting and reporting suspicious vehicles or activity.
4. Install Sensor Lighting: Motion-activated external lighting is a simple but effective deterrent for both burglars and those committing criminal damage, especially in darker, rural areas.
5. Personal Safety: When walking in the village at night, carry a torch and stay on familiar paths. While the risk is low, being visible and aware of your surroundings is a fundamental safety practice.

Crime in Bardwell is relatively infrequent, but the data shows that property-related offences follow specific daily cycles. Burglary is a persistent concern, making up 42% of crimes in the afternoon (12pm-6pm) and 38% during the night (12am-6am). This suggests that offenders may target homes both when residents are out during the day and when they are asleep. Theft is most likely to occur in the morning and afternoon, accounting for 28-29% of incidents in those periods. Conversely, vehicle crime is most prominent at night, representing 30% of the period's reports. These patterns indicate that while the village is generally very safe, property security should be a 24-hour priority for residents.

In the context of the local region, Bardwell is a standout performer for safety. Its crime rate of 13.7 per 1,000 is significantly lower than Stanton (22.7) and Ixworth (44.8). While it is not as quiet as the nearby villages of Barningham and Coney Weston—both of which recorded no crimes in 2025—it remains one of the most secure options for residents in this part of Suffolk. This comparison highlights Bardwell's position as a peaceful residential hub that offers a higher level of security than many of the larger settlements in the West Suffolk local authority area.

While Bardwell enjoys a very low property crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000, the fact that burglary accounts for 17.6% of all offences suggests that residents should not be complacent. In a village where crime is rare, a single break-in can be devastating. Traditional security systems like basic alarms or doorbell cameras often only alert you once a person is already at your door or inside your home.

For Bardwell homeowners, the scOS operating system provides a more sophisticated, proactive layer of defence. By using AI to monitor multiple camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify a potential intruder as they approach your property boundary. This early detection allows the system to intervene autonomously—activating lights or audible warnings—to deter the individual before they even reach a window or door. This proactive approach is particularly suited to rural settings like Bardwell, where response times for traditional services may be longer. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS helps maintain the high safety standards that Bardwell residents expect.