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

For a population of 9,814 residents, Brandon (West Suffolk) recorded 51 crimes in January 2024, translating to a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 people. This figure places the area 29.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.3% of all incidents (17 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (13.7%) and vehicle crime (9.8%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the observed crime patterns, with fewer outdoor crimes typical of the month. While violent crime remains a concern, its rate of 1.7 per 1,000 is 35% below the UK average, suggesting localized factors may temper national trends. Property crime, though lower than violent crime in this instance, still constitutes a significant portion of the total, with vehicle crime and burglary standing out as areas requiring continued attention. The area’s relatively low crime rate may be influenced by its character as a built-up area within a rural district, where community cohesion and limited urban density could play a role in crime prevention. However, the data also highlights specific vulnerabilities, such as the 23% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson, which may reflect local challenges in managing vandalism or arson risks.

January 2024 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime (5 cases, +400.0% from 1 in December) and burglary (4 cases, +300.0% from 1 in December), suggesting a possible shift in criminal activity following the holiday season. Criminal damage and arson rose by 250.0% (from 2 to 7 cases), indicating a significant uptick in property-related offences that outpaced UK averages by 23%. Conversely, several categories experienced notable declines: anti-social behaviour dropped by 57.1% (from 7 to 3 cases), and violence and sexual offences fell by 56.4% (from 39 to 17 cases), though the latter still accounted for 33.3% of total crimes. The area’s rate for violence and sexual offences (1.7 per 1,000) is 35% below the UK average, a contrast to the 23% above UK average for criminal damage and arson. This divergence highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific crime types. For residents, the 56.4% drop in violence and sexual offences is a tangible improvement, but the rise in vehicle crime—now at 0.5 per 1,000 (matching the UK average)—may signal new risks for motorists and car owners in the area.

In January 2024, Brandon’s crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents marked a 17.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.3 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend in overall criminal activity. This translates to roughly 2 crimes reported per day in the built-up area, a figure that, while modest, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 192 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many urban centres but still reflects the presence of crime in a relatively small community. The population context further emphasizes the scale: with 9,814 residents, the 51 reported crimes represent a manageable volume, though the 23% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson suggests localized challenges. The comparison to the previous month also reveals shifts in criminal behaviour, with anti-social behaviour dropping by 57.1% and vehicle crime surging by 400.0%, illustrating the dynamic nature of crime patterns. For residents, these figures provide a clear picture of both progress and areas requiring attention, particularly in addressing the rise in vehicle-related offences while capitalizing on the sustained decline in violent crime.