Brandon (West Suffolk) Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile in Brandon (West Suffolk) during July 2023, accounting for 52.9% of all reported crimes. At 5.2 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate was 37.3% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, a marked improvement that reflects broader trends in rural and semi-rural areas of England. This rate, while lower than the national figure, is not uniform across categories — violence remains high, with 2.8 per 1,000 incidents, just 1% above the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of July, characterised by school holidays, tourism, and festivals, likely contributes to the prominence of violent crimes, which may be exacerbated by increased social interaction in public spaces. Meanwhile, property-related offences such as shoplifting and vehicle crime were significantly lower than the UK average, with shoplifting at 67% below and vehicle crime at 38% below. This divergence may be explained by the area’s character as a relatively small built-up area within West Suffolk, where commercial activity is limited compared to larger urban centres. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife districts likely reduces opportunities for property crimes, though the sharp rise in public order offences suggests that unregulated gatherings during summer events may create new challenges. These patterns highlight the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and the nature of crime in smaller communities, where targeted interventions can have a measurable impact.

July 2023 saw a notable 200% increase in public order offences, rising from one to three incidents. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, contrasts with the 100% rise in shoplifting, which moved from one to two reported cases. These increases may be linked to the summer season, when outdoor events and festivals draw more people to public spaces, potentially creating conditions for disorder. Conversely, other theft fell by 75% (from four to one cases), and drugs offences dropped by 50% (from two to one). These declines suggest that targeted efforts or seasonal factors may have curtailed these categories. Violent crime, which accounted for 52.9% of all crimes, remained at 2.8 per 1,000 — 1% above the UK average for this category. This suggests that while the overall crime rate is lower than the national average, violence remains a persistent concern locally. The contrast between violent and property crime trends underscores the need for differentiated strategies to address these distinct issues.

Brandon’s crime rate in July 2023 fell to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, an 8.9% decrease from June’s 5.7 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the seasonal rhythm of the area, where summer holidays and festivals may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. Daily crime statistics show an average of two reported crimes per day, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate compared to national averages. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 192 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s safety profile. When contextualised against the population of 9,814, this suggests that most residents are unlikely to experience crime directly. The drop in violent crime compared to the previous month, coupled with the absence of major spikes in property-related offences, indicates a stable local environment. However, the fluctuation in specific categories, such as the sharp rise in public order offences, highlights the need for continued monitoring of emerging patterns.