Brandon (West Suffolk) Crime Rate

Brandon (West Suffolk) presents a solid safety profile with an overall crime rate of 77.9 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to the town's safety score of 80/100, which is higher than the national average of 78. While Brandon remains a relatively safe environment, the trend direction is currently increasing, with an 8.1% rise in reported crimes over the past year. This indicates that while the town is statistically safer than many other parts of the UK, residents should stay informed about local shifts in crime patterns and take sensible precautions to protect themselves and their property.

Crime in Brandon (West Suffolk) is primarily characterised by three major categories. Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, making up 45.3% of all reports (35.3 per 1,000 people). Criminal damage and arson follow at 11.3%, with 'other theft' accounting for 8.0%. For residents, these figures highlight a prevalence of personal and community-based offences over professional property crime.

However, the property crime rate remains a significant factor at 26.5 per 1,000 people. This total includes burglary (3.1%), vehicle crime (3.3%), and bicycle theft (4.1%). While burglary rates are relatively low compared to national averages, the combined impact of theft and property damage means that homeowners should remain proactive. The data suggests that opportunistic theft, particularly involving bicycles and items left in vehicles, is a persistent issue in the Brandon area that requires consistent preventive measures.

The crime rate in Brandon has increased by 8.1% year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data shows a relatively stable start to 2025, with rates around 5.1 to 5.5 per 1,000. However, there was a noticeable surge during the summer months; August 2025 recorded the highest rate of the year at 9.5 per 1,000. October 2025 also showed a high rate of 6.7. These spikes suggest that crime in Brandon can be seasonal, with summer months seeing a higher volume of reported incidents compared to the winter period.

How To Keep Safe in Brandon (West Suffolk)

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Brandon, accounting for over 45% of the town's total. To stay safe, residents and visitors should consider these practical steps:

• Stick to well-lit, populated routes when walking at night and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas like the forest outskirts or unlit alleys.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid using headphones or being overly distracted by your phone when walking alone.
• When using local nightlife or pubs, always stay with friends and ensure you have a pre-planned, safe way to get home.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity to the local police; early reporting can prevent more serious incidents from occurring.
• Encourage the use of community safety schemes and stay connected with neighbours to share information about local safety concerns.

Brandon's crime data reveals clear time-based patterns. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most prominent crime type, making up 41% and 42% of incidents respectively. This points to opportunistic crime during business hours. In the evening, 'other' crimes (including public order and ASB) spike to 63%, reflecting the shift toward social and nightlife-related issues. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a sharp rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for 23% of all offences in that period, alongside a peak in burglary at 16%, highlighting the need for robust overnight property protection.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Brandon (West Suffolk) has a higher crime rate at 77.9 per 1,000. Nearby Weeting and Hockwold cum Wilton are significantly quieter, with rates of 34.3 and 34.5 respectively. Mundford also offers a lower crime environment at 26.6. The most striking difference is with Little Eriswell, which maintains an exceptionally low rate of just 7.4. Brandon acts as a primary service centre for these smaller villages, which contributes to its higher volume of reported incidents, though it still remains well below the national average for urban areas.

With a property crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000, Brandon residents face a moderate risk of theft and damage. The challenge with traditional security systems, like standard CCTV or video doorbells, is their reactive nature. They are designed to show you what happened after the event, which is often too late to prevent the loss of property or the violation of your home.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. Instead of just recording a burglary in progress, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to identify suspicious patterns and intervene autonomously. If an intruder is detected, the system can engage speakers or activate lighting to destroy the element of surprise. For a town like Brandon, where vehicle crime and burglary are most prevalent at night, having a system that never blinks and responds in real-time provides a level of security that traditional recording devices simply cannot match. Investing in prevention rather than just evidence is the key to true peace of mind.