Brandon (West Suffolk) Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Brandon (West Suffolk) recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in April 2024, placing it 20.8% below the UK average of 7.7. This performance contrasts with the national picture, where violence and sexual offences typically account for a larger share of total crimes. In Brandon, these offences made up 36.7% of the total 60 crimes reported, slightly below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (2.2 per 1,000 in Brandon). The area's profile shows a notable balance between property and violent crime, with property crimes (15) comprising 25% of the total, compared to 36.7% for violent crimes. This divergence may partly explain the lower overall rate, as property crime often dominates in more densely populated urban areas. Seasonal factors in April—such as Easter holidays and increased outdoor activity—may influence patterns, with public order offences rising slightly above the UK average. However, anti-social behaviour remains significantly lower than national figures, suggesting local initiatives or community dynamics could be contributing. The relatively low burglary rate (0.1 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 may reflect the built-up area's characteristics, where residential density and community engagement could deter such crimes. This snapshot highlights Brandon's position as a relatively safe area within the UK's broader crime profile, though specific categories like drug-related offences and bicycle theft show marked deviations from national trends.

April 2024 saw significant shifts in crime patterns for Brandon. Bicycle theft doubled from zero to two incidents, a 100% increase, while drug-related offences rose by 66.7% (from three to five). These spikes contrast with sharp declines in criminal damage and arson (-54.5%) and burglary (-50.0%), suggesting seasonal or situational factors may have influenced these trends. The area's violent crime rate (2.2 per 1,000) is 14% below the UK average, but drug-related offences are 150% above the national rate of 0.2 per 1,000. This divergence could indicate local challenges in addressing substance misuse or enforcement priorities. Meanwhile, public order offences rose 32% above the UK average, linked to increased foot traffic during Easter or spring events. For residents, the 20.8% gap between Brandon's crime rate and the UK average offers context for community safety, though specific categories like drug offences highlight areas requiring targeted attention. The 36.7% share of violent crimes in the total tally also underscores the need for continued focus on preventing such incidents, even as the overall rate remains lower than national benchmarks.

Brandon's crime rate in April 2024 (6.1 per 1,000) marked a 17.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a downward trend that may align with seasonal patterns. Over the 30 days of April, this translated to roughly two crimes per day—a pace that, while consistent with the area's historical norms, remains lower than the UK average. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure of 1 crime per 164 residents underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. This figure is particularly striking when compared to the UK's broader context, where the average resident faces a higher likelihood of encountering crime. The contrast is most pronounced in categories like drug-related offences, which are 150% above the UK average, and bicycle theft, which is 186% above national figures. These anomalies may indicate localized challenges, such as increased drug use or a growing cycling population, that require tailored strategies. Conversely, the area's performance in anti-social behaviour (34% below UK average) and burglary (69% below) suggests effective community policing or environmental factors that deter such crimes. For residents, these comparisons provide a nuanced understanding of Brandon's safety profile, highlighting both strengths and areas needing further attention.