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

February 2024 saw Brandon (West Suffolk) maintain a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, 25.4% below the UK average of 7.1. This marked contrast with national trends highlights the area’s unique crime profile, shaped by its rural-urban hybrid character. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 23 incidents (44.2% of all crimes), significantly lower than the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This may reflect the area’s lower population density and limited nightlife infrastructure, which typically correlates with higher violent crime rates. Vehicle crime, however, stood out as 59% above the UK average at 0.7 per 1,000, potentially linked to the area’s road network and seasonal travel patterns. The seasonal context of February as a pre-spring lull may have influenced crime patterns, with reduced outdoor activity lowering opportunities for certain offences but not eliminating them. The crime mix showed a slight shift towards property crimes, though they remained below violent crimes in frequency. This balance may be attributed to the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones, where retail premises and vehicle storage areas create targeted risk points. The overall stability in crime rates, despite the winter season, suggests effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives, though further analysis would be required to confirm these factors.

The most unexpected shift in February 2024 was the 200% increase in shoplifting, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge defies typical seasonal trends, as winter months usually see lower retail crime due to reduced foot traffic. Concurrently, public order offences jumped 133.3% (3 to 7), possibly linked to increased community gatherings during the pre-spring period. Other theft also rose by 66.7% (3 to 5), though this remains below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Conversely, criminal damage and arson plummeted by 85.7% (7 to 1), likely due to colder weather reducing outdoor activities that could lead to such offences. Anti-social behaviour dropped by 66.7% (3 to 1), which may reflect seasonal changes in social dynamics or improved local enforcement. Vehicle crime remained significantly above the UK average at 0.7 per 1,000 (59% higher), highlighting a persistent vulnerability in the area’s transport infrastructure. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of local conditions and broader national crime trends, with some categories moving in stark contrast to their UK counterparts.

February’s crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 was a 1.9% increase from January’s 5.2, indicating a stable monthly trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 29-day month, a figure that aligns with the area’s low population density and limited urban infrastructure. When scaled to the local population of 9,814, this translates to one reported crime for every 189 residents over the course of the month—a rate that places Brandon well below the UK average in terms of exposure. This monthly aggregate provides a useful benchmark for residents, showing that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is comparatively low. The stability in rates despite seasonal factors suggests that local policing efforts or community resilience may be mitigating risk factors typically associated with winter months. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting and public order offences underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific areas, such as retail zones or community hubs. These figures, while modest in absolute terms, remain important indicators for local stakeholders seeking to address emerging patterns.