Bury St Edmunds Crime Rate

Bury St Edmunds is an urban centre with a safety score of 79/100, which is exactly in line with the UK average. The town's annual crime rate is 85.5 per 1,000 people, notably lower than the national average of 91.6. This indicates that Bury St Edmunds is a relatively safe town for its size. Most encouragingly, the crime trend is on a significant downward trajectory, with a 16.7% decrease in reported offences over the last year. This analysis explores the specific crime types and time patterns within the town, providing residents and visitors with a clear understanding of the local safety landscape and how it compares to the surrounding West Suffolk region.

Crime in Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds experiences a crime distribution where violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 43.1% of all reports with 1,532 incidents. Shoplifting is the second most common crime, representing 10.2% of the total, followed by public order offences at 8.9%. These figures reflect the urban nature of the town, where retail activity and nightlife contribute significantly to the local crime profile.

The overall property crime rate in Bury St Edmunds is 27.5 per 1,000 people. This encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.2, the high incidence of shoplifting (364 crimes) and 'other theft' (248 crimes) suggests that commercial areas and public spaces are the primary targets. For residents, burglary remains relatively low at 1.8 per 1,000, but the combined volume of theft and criminal damage (296 crimes) indicates that property protection should remain a priority. Homeowners should be aware that while the town is generally safe, opportunistic theft is the most likely property-related threat they may face.

Crime Trends in Bury St Edmunds

The crime trend in Bury St Edmunds is notably positive, showing a significant decrease of 16.7% over the last 12 months. This substantial reduction suggests that law enforcement and community safety initiatives are effectively lowering the town's crime volume. Monthly data for 2025 shows a relatively stable environment following an initial peak in January at 7.7 per 1,000 people.

Throughout the year, the rate fluctuated slightly, with a low of 6.2 in February and consistent levels around 7.0 to 7.5 for the remainder of the year. The slight dip in December to 6.8 indicates a relatively calm end to the year. For residents, this downward trend is reassuring, indicating that despite being a regional hub, the town is becoming safer over time. The lack of extreme spikes in the monthly data suggests that the reduction is broad-based rather than the result of a single anomalous month, pointing toward a sustained improvement in local safety.

How To Keep Safe in Bury St Edmunds

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Bury St Edmunds, particularly in areas with high footfall. To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings when walking through the town centre, especially during the evening and late-night hours. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid poorly lit shortcuts. If you are out late, try to travel with friends or use reputable taxi services rather than walking alone.

Given the high rate of shoplifting and other thefts in the town, it is also important to be vigilant with your personal belongings. In busy shopping areas, keep bags zipped and close to your body, and never leave your phone or wallet on a table in a cafe or pub. For residents, ensure that your home is secure by locking all doors and windows, even when you are inside. Vehicle crime, while not dominant, still occurs; always double-check that your car is locked and that no bags or electronics are visible through the windows, as these can tempt opportunistic thieves.

Crime Patterns in Bury St Edmunds

Analysis of crime timing in Bury St Edmunds reveals that the afternoon and evening are the periods of highest activity. Between 12pm and 6pm, theft-related offences peak, accounting for 55% of all crimes during this window. This aligns with the town's busy shopping hours. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), the crime profile shifts significantly, with 'other' crimes, including public order and alcohol-related incidents, rising to 57% of the total.

During the night-time hours (12am to 6am), while overall crime volume is lower, vehicle crime becomes a much more prominent threat, representing 28% of all incidents. This suggests that vehicles parked overnight are at their highest risk during these early morning hours. Interestingly, burglary shows a slight increase in frequency during the night (13%) compared to the morning (6%), indicating that nocturnal intruders are a specific concern for residential security in the town.

Bury St Edmunds serves as the primary urban hub for the immediate area, which is reflected in its higher crime rate of 85.5 per 1,000 compared to its more rural neighbours. Nearby settlements such as Fornham St Martin (14.4) and Great Barton (18.1) have significantly lower rates, while Fornham All Saints and Horringer report negligible crime activity. This contrast is typical for the region, where the concentration of shops, businesses, and transport links in Bury St Edmunds naturally leads to higher reported figures than in the surrounding residential villages. For those looking for a balance of urban amenities and safety, Bury St Edmunds remains a secure choice within a very safe wider county.

Home Security in Bury St Edmunds

With a property crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000 people, residents of Bury St Edmunds should look beyond basic security measures. In an urban environment where shoplifting and other thefts are common, residential properties can also be targeted by opportunistic offenders. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, are reactive; they capture footage of an incident while it is happening or after it has concluded, which often does little to stop the crime itself.

scOS provides a proactive solution designed for the modern home. By using AI-powered intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter and identifies potential threats before they reach your door. It distinguishes between regular activity—like a delivery or a family member—and suspicious behavior, such as someone loitering near a vehicle. When a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously respond by activating lights or audio deterrents, effectively stopping a crime in its tracks. For homeowners in Bury St Edmunds, this proactive approach offers peace of mind that reactive recording simply cannot match.