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

In June 2023, Brandon (West Suffolk) recorded a crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 32.9% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This figure marks a continuation of the area's historically lower crime levels compared to national benchmarks, though the composition of crimes reflects local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 46.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.6%. These patterns align with the characteristics of a built-up area within a rural county, where residential density and local amenities may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of June—as the start of summer and the longest days of the year—may have influenced these trends, with increased foot traffic and social activity contributing to higher rates of violent crime. However, property crimes remained relatively low, with only 14 incidents reported, a figure significantly below the UK average for this category. The overall crime rate, while lower than national averages, suggests that the area's crime profile is shaped by a combination of demographic factors, local infrastructure, and seasonal rhythms. The relatively low levels of theft from the person and shoplifting—both 81% and 66.7% below UK averages, respectively—may be attributable to the area's smaller retail presence and lower tourist activity compared to coastal or urban centres. These findings illustrate the importance of contextualising crime data within the specific geographic and social characteristics of Brandon, ensuring that comparisons with national figures are both meaningful and appropriately nuanced.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in June 2023 was the 100% increase in vehicle crime, which rose from zero reported incidents in May to four in June. This spike, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, raises questions about potential seasonal factors or local changes in parking patterns. Concurrently, public order offences fell by 80% compared to the previous month, dropping from five to one. This decline may reflect the start of summer, when community events or increased daylight hours reduce opportunities for such offences. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 46.4% of all crimes, though they were 8% below the UK average. The significant 100% rise in drug-related crimes—jumping from one to two incidents—despite being below the UK average, underscores the need for continued monitoring of emerging trends. These shifts in crime composition illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, with some categories responding strongly to seasonal changes while others remain relatively stable.

Brandon's crime rate in June 2023 fell to 5.7 per 1,000 residents, an 11.1% decrease from the previous month's 6.4 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with broader patterns observed in similar built-up areas during early summer, when seasonal activity shifts may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the month, a figure that contextualises the overall rate as relatively low compared to UK averages. The monthly exposure statistic—1 crime per 175 residents—provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents, though it must be noted that this is an aggregate figure and does not reflect daily fluctuations. With a population of 9,814, the scale of the area means that even modest changes in crime rates can have noticeable impacts on community perceptions of safety. The drop in overall crime rate, combined with the specific declines in public order offences and criminal damage, suggests that factors such as increased daylight hours or local events may have contributed to a more stable environment during June.