Brandon (West Suffolk) Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,814, Brandon (West Suffolk) recorded 72 crimes in January 2025, translating to a crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 2.8% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slightly higher-than-national-level burden of criminal activity. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (32 incidents, accounting for 44.4% of total crimes), followed by drugs (6), criminal damage and arson (6), and other theft (6). These patterns align with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday month marked by shorter daylight hours and reduced retail footfall, which may partly explain the lower incidence of shoplifting and vehicle crime compared to busier periods. Violence and sexual offences, however, showed a marked increase, potentially linked to social dynamics during colder months or unmet demand for support services. The area’s crime profile contrasts with the UK average in several categories: drugs-related incidents were 131% above the national rate, while public order offences were 13% below. This divergence highlights the need for targeted local interventions, as the area’s relatively small size and rural character may amplify the impact of specific crime types on community safety.

January 2025 saw a dramatic 113.3% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 15 incidents in December 2024 to 32 in January. This surge, combined with a 100% rise in drugs-related crimes (from 0 to 6) and a doubling of possession of weapons offences (from 0 to 2), indicates a sharp shift in criminal activity. These trends contrast with declines in anti-social behaviour (-50%), burglary (-33.3%), and other theft (-14.3%), though the latter’s reduction was modest. Violence and sexual offences in Brandon were 31% above the UK average, while drugs-related crimes were 131% higher, underscoring the area’s unique challenges. Public order offences were 13% below the national rate, possibly reflecting lower levels of alcohol-fueled incidents during the post-holiday period. Residents may find the 13% reduction in public order crimes reassuring, but the steep rise in violence and drugs-related offences deserves closer attention from local authorities and community groups.

Brandon’s crime rate in January 2025 (7.3 per 1,000) marked a 44.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 5.1 per 1,000, a significant jump that outpaces many similar areas. This translates to roughly 2 crimes per day in the built-up area, with one reported crime occurring for every 136 residents over the course of the month. When scaled to the population of 9,814, this means residents face a slightly higher risk of encountering crime compared to the UK average, though the overall rate remains within a manageable range for a small town. The previous month’s lower rate may have been influenced by the Christmas holiday period, when retail activity and outdoor crime typically decline. However, the January surge in violence and sexual offences suggests a shift in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to post-holiday stress, colder weather, or unmet demand for social services. The monthly exposure metric (1-in-136 residents) provides a tangible frame of reference for residents, illustrating that while crime is not negligible, it remains relatively low in comparison to larger urban centres.