The perception that violence and sexual offences are prevalent in Brandon, West Suffolk, stems from an examination of local crime statistics. Brandon (West Suffolk), a Built-Up Area (BUA) with a population of 9,814, has a crime rate of 77.7 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000. However, when considering the types of crimes, the statistics can appear concerning.
It's important to acknowledge the impact of population size. Smaller areas often experience greater statistical fluctuations. A relatively small number of incidents can significantly impact the crime rate per 1,000 people. For example, a single, serious incident will have a disproportionately larger effect on Brandon’s rate compared to a larger city.
While the overall crime rate is lower than the national average, the area’s safety score of 80/100 is also slightly below the UK average of 79/100. This indicates a perception of lower safety amongst residents, which can be influenced by factors beyond raw crime statistics, such as reporting rates and community feeling.
It's essential to remember that crime data represents reported incidents. Underreporting can skew the perception of crime prevalence. Furthermore, the categorization of crimes can vary, making direct comparisons across different areas challenging. Without further, specific data on the nature of the violence and sexual offences occurring in Brandon, it is difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes. Further investigation into the specific contributing factors would be beneficial to understand the situation fully and implement targeted preventative measures.