Barrow (West Suffolk) Crime Rate

Barrow (West Suffolk) is a highly secure urban settlement, featuring an overall crime rate of 34.0 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.1, and the area maintains an excellent safety score of 91/100. However, it is important to note that the crime trend in Barrow is currently increasing, with a 32.8% rise year-over-year. While the absolute number of crimes remains small, this upward direction suggests that residents should be more attentive to local security. Despite the trend, Barrow remains one of the safer places in the region. Understanding the local crime breakdown and temporal patterns is key to maintaining this high level of safety. The following data explores these factors in detail.

Crime in Barrow (West Suffolk)

Crime in Barrow is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 36.0% of all reported incidents (12.2 per 1,000 residents). Unusually for a low-crime area, burglary is the second most significant crime type, representing 13.5% of the total, followed by other theft at 10.1%. This suggests that property-related offences are a more prominent part of the local crime profile than in many similar settlements.

Overall property crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—stands at 15.7 per 1,000 people. While this is much lower than the UK average of 32.9, the 13.5% burglary rate is a specific point of concern for homeowners. Vehicle crime and criminal damage both account for 9.0% of reports each. For residents, this data indicates that while the streets are generally safe from high volumes of crime, residential and vehicle security should be a top priority. The relatively high proportion of burglary suggests that opportunistic or targeted break-ins are a tangible risk that requires proactive management. Ensuring that homes and vehicles are consistently secured is essential in this local context.

The crime trend in Barrow is currently increasing, with a 32.8% rise year-over-year. This is a significant jump for a small settlement, though it is important to contextualise this within the overall low crime rate. Monthly data from November 2024 to October 2025 shows a volatile pattern. Activity was lowest in December 2024 (1.1) and October 2025 (0.8), but spiked considerably in September 2025 (5.3) and January 2025 (5.0). Other months like July 2025 (4.6) also showed elevated levels.

This volatility and the overall upward trend suggest that the area is experiencing periodic bursts of criminal activity. For residents, this means that maintaining consistent security is more important now than in previous years. While Barrow remains a safe place statistically, the double-digit percentage increase in crime over the last twelve months serves as a prompt for increased community awareness and the adoption of more robust property protection measures.

How To Keep Safe in Barrow (West Suffolk)

The most common crime in Barrow is violence and sexual offences, although burglary is also a significant concern. To stay safe personally, residents should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking in quieter areas after dark. For property safety, given the high proportion of burglary (13.5%), it is vital to ensure all windows and doors are double-locked, even when you are at home.

To further protect your home, consider installing a professional-grade alarm system and ensure that any high-value items are kept out of sight from ground-floor windows. Motion-activated security lighting around the perimeter of your property can also serve as an effective deterrent. For vehicle safety, which accounts for 9.0% of crime, always park in well-lit areas and never leave valuables inside the car. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can also provide an extra layer of community-led security, ensuring that any unusual activity in Barrow is quickly reported and addressed.

Crime in Barrow exhibits strong temporal trends, particularly regarding property offences. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the most prevalent issue, accounting for 43% and 44% of crimes respectively. However, burglary and vehicle crime become significantly more prominent as the day ends. Burglary risk is high in the afternoon (35%) but peaks during the night (12am-6am) at 37%. Vehicle crime also reaches its maximum intensity at night, making up 37% of incidents during those hours. This suggests that while daytime crime is driven by opportunistic theft, the night-time period is the most critical for residential and vehicle security. Overall crime intensity tends to follow the standard UK pattern of peaking on weekend evenings, but the high percentage of night-time property crime is a specific characteristic of Barrow's safety profile that residents should be aware of.

Barrow sits within a very safe regional cluster in West Suffolk. Its crime rate of 34.0 per 1,000 is lower than that of nearby Risby, which recorded 48.3. However, it is more active than the surrounding smaller villages of Ousden, Chevington, and Gazeley, all of which reported zero crimes in the same timeframe. This suggests that Barrow acts as a small local hub where most regional activity is concentrated. For residents, this means Barrow offers a safe environment compared to larger towns, though it lacks the near-total absence of crime found in the most isolated neighbouring hamlets. It remains a very attractive and secure choice for those looking to live in the West Suffolk area.

With a property crime rate of 15.7 per 1,000 and burglary being the second most common crime at 13.5%, Barrow residents should prioritise proactive home security. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, often only provide footage of a crime after it has happened. This reactive approach is less effective in an area where burglary is a notable concern. The scOS AI-powered security operating system offers a proactive solution by preventing crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries, scOS can detect suspicious activity in real-time. It distinguishes between normal routines and potential threats, allowing it to activate deterrents like lights and speakers autonomously. This professional-grade protection is particularly valuable given Barrow's increasing crime trend, as it provides a visible and intelligent deterrent that encourages opportunistic offenders to move on. For real protection in Barrow, moving from recording to prevention is the smartest choice.